Former Jigawa State governor, Sule Lamido, has raised serious concerns over what he describes as President Bola Tinubu’s use of government power to weaken opposition parties in Nigeria. Lamido, a founding member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), warned that such actions could pose a significant threat to the nation’s democracy.
In a recent interview with the BBC, Lamido highlighted the dangers of harassment and intimidation of political opponents. “When you see intimidation and harassment, these are signs of a government coming to an end. Historically, this is how it begins,” Lamido noted.
The former governor was particularly critical of Tinubu’s approach to governance, emphasizing that as the President of Nigeria, Tinubu should represent all citizens, regardless of party affiliation.
“I have said severally that while Tinubu is an APC member, as President of Nigeria, he is a leader to all Nigerians. Therefore, he should not discriminate between PDP and APC. He is expected to be just to all as a good leader,” Lamido explained.
Lamido accused the president of using national resources to stifle political competition, warning that this could have serious consequences for Nigeria’s political future.
“He is expected to allow us to engage or compete against each other without his interference, but unfortunately, that is not the case. He is now using the country’s resources, which belong to all Nigerians, to cripple the opposition. This is a wrong move, and if care is not taken, he will also be consumed,” Lamido stated.
The PDP leader also responded to the ongoing defections from his party to the ruling APC. Lamido dismissed concerns that these defections were merely a partisan issue, insisting that the real problem at hand was much bigger.
“We are talking about Nigeria, and you are talking about PDP. We are talking about Nigeria’s future, unity, stability, peace, and democracy and you are here talking about PDP,” Lamido remarked.
He further urged Nigerians to see the broader implications of President Tinubu’s actions, arguing that the impact was not limited to the PDP. “What he (Tinubu) is doing presently is trying to destroy Nigeria’s democratic tenets. Stop seeing his actions as if he is harming PDP alone,” Lamido said.
The PDP’s internal crisis, particularly the defection of former Delta Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, has also been a source of frustration for Lamido.
“Just look at Okowa, the highest position given to him was to serve as a running mate to our presidential candidate. But see what he did. Why didn’t he leave the party six months ago? Personally, I’m ashamed,” he expressed.
Lamido concluded by reiterating that using state resources to undermine political opponents is a grave injustice.
“If it’s a struggle between PDP and APC, that’s a different thing. But a Nigerian president, who should protect the interests and rights of all citizens PDP, APC, or those not in politics is now providing support to fight us. What should we do?” he asked.
He warned that the current situation was not just about the PDP’s survival but the future of Nigeria itself. “What is happening today is beyond PDP, destroying PDP; destroying the country, and in the near future nobody will survive it,” Lamido said.
