Former Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido, has strongly criticized the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, accusing him of using state power to intimidate and weaken the opposition, and warning that Nigeria’s democracy is under serious threat.
Speaking on Tuesday from his office in Kano, Lamido claimed that President Tinubu has drastically altered Nigeria’s political landscape and is driving the country toward a one-party system.
“Nigeria is no longer the country it was 25 years ago,” Lamido said. “Today, Tinubu is using state institutions to crush the opposition through intimidation, blackmail, harassment, and government patronage.”
He cited the case of Ifeanyi Okowa, former Delta State governor and PDP’s 2023 vice-presidential candidate, as an example.
“Okowa suddenly faced EFCC charges involving ₦1.3 trillion, but after joining the APC, those charges disappeared. This is similar to what Oshiomhole once said — ‘no matter your crime, once you join the APC, you will be forgiven.’”
Lamido warned that this pattern of coercion is eroding public trust and undermining democratic institutions:
“People are panicking. In that panic, there’s talk of coalitions. But unlike in 2014, when the APC coalition was organic and built on strong political institutions — CPC, ACN, ANPP, and defecting PDP governors — today’s proposed coalition is a gathering of individuals.”
He added that while he supports democracy, he cannot align himself with what he called an “individual-based alliance” between figures such as Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, and Nasir El-Rufai, without institutional backing.
“Labour Party, PDP, and others are not uniting as political institutions but as individuals. That’s why I’m not part of it.”
Lamido’s remarks come amid rising tension within Nigeria’s political space, as discussions about 2027 alliances gain momentum and opposition leaders consider forming a united front against the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
