By Ademola Adekusibe
A family disagreement over President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has taken a dramatic turn after Yomi Pearse publicly launched a scathing attack on his elder brother, Prof. Adetokunbo Pearse Williams, accusing him of political vendetta, jealousy and allowing an alleged personal disagreement with the President to influence his public criticism.
In a strongly worded open letter, Yomi, who described himself as the professor’s immediate younger brother, said it was time someone close to him told him the truth about what he described as his persistent hostility towards Tinubu.
He alleged that the disagreement dates back to the period when both men belonged to the same political party and Tinubu allegedly advised Prof. Pearse Williams to wait for his turn.
According to Yomi, that encounter appears to have developed into a personal grudge which has continued to influence the professor’s political positions and criticism of the President.
“Dr Pearse, it’s time somebody as close as me, your immediate junior, tells you the truth. You’re playing politics of personal vendetta that started when PBAT advised you to wait for your turn when you were in the same party with him,” he wrote.
Yomi Questions Elder Brother’s Political Journey
The younger Pearse did not spare his brother’s political history, accusing him of moving across virtually every political party in pursuit of political ambition.
He particularly took aim at the professor’s reported attempt to secure a governorship ticket in Lagos State under the PDP, describing the party as the “fake PDP”.
Yomi also questioned his elder brother’s decision to pursue the governorship ambition at the age of 78, describing the development as unfortunate.
He further suggested that the unsuccessful political pursuit may have cost the professor considerable financial resources.
“Your political rascality has taken you to virtually all parties, the latest being the fake PDP where you wanted to represent them as Lagos State governor at age 78, which is unfortunate for you. You lost out again. Only God knows how much it cost you financially,” he stated.
‘Tinubu Is President Whether You Like It or Not’
In one of the most striking portions of the letter, Yomi challenged his brother’s persistent criticism of Tinubu, declaring that regardless of his personal opinion of the President, Tinubu occupies the highest political office in Nigeria.
He wrote:
“PBAT has no father and mother. The man must have jumped down to earth from hell, but he’s the president of the biggest African nation, whether you like it or not.”
The remark appeared to be a direct response to what Yomi considers his brother’s relentless criticism of the President, suggesting that Prof. Pearse Williams has allowed his personal reservations about Tinubu to overshadow the reality of his position as Nigeria’s President.
Yomi Claims Personal Working Relationship With Tinubu at Mobil
Defending Tinubu against questions surrounding his educational background and professional history, Yomi disclosed that he had personally worked with the President during his time at Mobil.
He said he was involved in the company’s financial operations as an auditor responsible for disbursement and payments for diesel supplied to Mobil Producing through Onne Port, which he said was under his direct supervision.
According to him, this professional relationship gave him personal grounds to challenge some of the claims being made about Tinubu.
“The man, according to you, didn’t attend any school, but I can personally confirm to you that I had a personal working relationship with him in Mobil as auditor for disbursement, who was in charge of payment for diesel supplied to Mobil Producing through Onne Port, which was under my direct supervision,” he wrote.
Yomi’s intervention comes amid renewed public debate over Tinubu’s educational background and the President’s academic records.
Invokes Bible to Defend Tinubu’s Leadership
Beyond the political disagreement and questions surrounding Tinubu’s background, Yomi also defended what he described as the President’s leadership qualities.
He portrayed Tinubu as a leader who looks after those who work with him and remain within his political structure.
Addressing his elder brother directly, he wrote:
“Dr Pearse, you’re simply jealous of the man. PBAT is a leader that looks after his flock. Refer to John Chapter 10 in the Bible. Can you see yourself?”
The biblical reference was used to reinforce his argument that Tinubu demonstrates the qualities of a leader who takes responsibility for his followers.
Yomi’s letter represents an unusually public intervention in the political disagreement between the two brothers, moving the debate beyond television appearances and political commentary into a direct family confrontation.
While Prof. Pearse Williams has publicly expressed criticism of Tinubu, his younger brother has now accused him of allowing an alleged personal political disappointment to shape his position towards the President.
The intervention has also brought attention to the professor’s political ambitions, his reported governorship pursuit in Lagos and the longstanding debate surrounding Tinubu’s educational credentials.
For Yomi, however, the central issue is personal: he believes his elder brother’s criticism of Tinubu is driven by jealousy and an unresolved political disagreement rather than an objective assessment of the President.
His message to his elder brother was unmistakable: Tinubu is Nigeria’s President, and no amount of personal hostility will change that reality.