...Sheyi, Obande, Egede Fingered in Emerging Power Struggle
Ukorebi Esien | June 8, 2026
CALABAR – Fresh controversy has engulfed the pro-President Bola Ahmed Tinubu support group, Relax, Tinubu Is Fixing Nigeria, following allegations of internal division and a leadership tussle that reportedly played out during the group's recent rally in Calabar, Cross River State.
The development has thrown key figures within the organization into the spotlight, including the son of the President, Sheyi Tinubu, Cross River State Coordinator of the group, Engr. Anjor Obande, and the National Director of Strategic Deployment and Implementation, Hon. Shedrach Egede.
Sources within the organization told our correspondent that the disagreement stems from the alleged sidelining of Egede during the group's state rally held at the Municipal Garden and Dome in Calabar over the weekend.
According to insiders, Egede occupies a strategic position within the national structure of the organization, with responsibility for coordinating grassroots mobilization efforts across the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory.
The sources alleged that despite contributing to the success of the rally and being one of the highest-ranking national officers from Cross River State, Egede was neither officially recognized nor given the opportunity to address supporters during the event.
The development has reportedly generated mixed reactions among members of the support group, with some describing it as an avoidable protocol lapse while others see it as evidence of an emerging struggle for influence within the organization.
A source close to Egede disclosed that before joining Relax, Tinubu Is Fixing Nigeria, he served as Director-General of the Tinubu Youth Vanguard, a support group said to have enjoyed the backing of Sheyi Tinubu.
According to the source, when the new support group was established, Sheyi Tinubu allegedly encouraged Egede to collapse the structures of the Tinubu Youth Vanguard into the new movement, assuring him of a prominent role within the national leadership.
"Egede agreed and merged his structures into the new organization. He was subsequently appointed National Director of Strategic Deployment and Implementation with responsibility for coordinating structures across the federation," the source claimed.
Supporters of the national officer reportedly believe that his emergence into a key national office altered the internal dynamics of the organization in Cross River State, where Engr. Obande had previously served as the major link between the state chapter and the national leadership.
Some members sympathetic to Egede argued that the events in Calabar may have reflected underlying concerns about influence and visibility within the movement.
One source described the alleged exclusion as "a needless display of superiority and internal competition that should not have happened in a movement established to support the President's agenda."
However, another official within the state chapter dismissed the controversy, describing the matter as insignificant.
Speaking anonymously because he was not authorized to comment publicly, the official said the issue had been exaggerated beyond its actual importance.
"The focus should be on the success of the rally and the message of the Renewed Hope Agenda. It is difficult to understand why anyone would want to make a major issue out of not being recognized at an event," the source said.
However, the Cross River State chapter has strongly dismissed claims of marginalisation and deliberate exclusion.
Speaking to reporters, the State Secretary of the organization, Hon. Stanley Nsemo, described the allegations as unfounded and insisted that all national officers and dignitaries present at the rally were duly recognized.
"Nothing of such happened," Nsemo said. "All the dignitaries and national officers who attended the event were recognized. If anybody feels sidelined, it certainly was not deliberate."
According to him, several top-ranking officials of the organization, including the Director-General of Directors-General, the National Secretary and other prominent national officers, were acknowledged during the programme.
He argued that not every office holder could be individually recognized at a large gathering and compared the situation to a legislative event.
"If you are a member of the House and attend an event with the Speaker, the Speaker is recognized and you now complain that because you are Chairman of the House Committee on Appropriation, you should also have been specially recognized. It doesn't make sense," he stated.
Nsemo further disclosed that he personally made sacrifices during the event to accommodate guests.
"I was on the high table myself, but I had to give up my seat for others. If you ask me, there is absolutely nothing to be disturbed about," he added.
The state secretary maintained that the rally achieved its primary objective of mobilizing support for President Bola Tinubu's Renewed Hope Agenda and urged members to remain focused on the group's mission rather than internal disagreements.
Despite the assurances from the state leadership, discussions have continued among supporters, with some calling for greater inclusiveness and clearer communication between the national and state structures of the organization.
As of press time, we were yet to get any official statements from Hon. Shedrach Egede as to what his next line of action will be, but political observers say the episode is a direct reflection of the challenges political support groups often face in balancing competing interests and managing relationships between state and national officers as their structures continue to expand.
For now, party supporters and stakeholders are hoping that any misunderstanding arising from the Calabar rally will be resolved amicably in the interest of unity and the broader objective of supporting the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Whether the controversy represents a mere misunderstanding or the beginning of a deeper struggle for influence within the movement remains to be seen. Be rest assured that TDN will keep you updated as events unfolds.
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