Former Governor of Jigawa State, Alhaji Sule Lamido, has voiced strong concerns about the current political climate under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, accusing the administration of systematically silencing the opposition and dismantling Nigeria’s democratic foundation.
Speaking in Kano on Tuesday, Lamido said opposition figures across the country are growing anxious due to what he described as Tinubu’s imperial use of power to coerce dissenters into joining the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
“Today, Tinubu is using state institutions to crush the opposition through intimidation, blackmail, harassment, and government patronage,” Lamido alleged.
He cited the case of former Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, who faced a N1.3 trillion corruption charge from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) — a charge that allegedly vanished after his defection to the APC.
“Just like Oshiomhole once said, ‘no matter your crime, once you join the APC, you will be forgiven.’ That’s why people who feel guilty are rushing into the APC. This is a serious threat to our democracy,” Lamido warned.
The elder statesman said Nigeria is no longer functioning as a united federation, noting that the country is plagued by a lack of security, unity, stability, and trust.
He accused the Federal Government of deliberately sowing division among regions — particularly between North Central and the rest of the North, and between South East and South South — for political manipulation.
Lamido described President Tinubu as a “political emperor” who now determines the fate of individuals in public office, further claiming this authoritarian style has created an atmosphere of fear and panic.
“Tinubu uses power to decide who lives or dies politically,” he said. “That’s why people are panicking and discussing coalitions.”
However, Lamido distanced himself from any talk of a 2027 opposition coalition, criticizing the current efforts as being led by individuals rather than structured political institutions.
“The coalition we had in 2014 was organic—CPC, ACN, ANPP, and even PDP defectors like governors, the President, and the Speaker came together. Today’s talks are between individuals like Atiku, Obi, El-Rufai. That’s not a real coalition.”
The former minister declared unwavering loyalty to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), saying he cannot abandon the party that made him governor and minister.
“Yes, the PDP has its problems. But I cannot walk out of my skin and take on a new identity. I was detained, harassed, blackmailed, and nearly destroyed because of my loyalty to the PDP. I remain PDP.”
Lamido concluded by affirming that he would support any credible, PDP-led arrangement aimed at rescuing Nigeria in 2027 — but firmly ruled out aligning with Tinubu or the APC.
