By OBSERVERS TIMES
- Former Jigawa State governor and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) founding member, Sule Lamido, has launched a scathing critique against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, accusing him of employing state resources to suppress opposition voices and jeopardizing Nigeria’s democratic foundations.
In a recent interview with the BBC, Lamido asserted that the alleged harassment and intimidation of political opponents are indicative of a failing administration.
“When you see intimidation and harassment, these are signs of a government coming to an end. Historically, this is how it begins,” Lamido stated. “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 specifically condemned the president’s alleged use of national resources to weaken opposition parties, labeling such actions as dangerous and undemocratic.
“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,” he warned.
Addressing the recent wave of defections from the PDP to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Lamido dismissed concerns, emphasizing that the issue transcends partisan politics.
“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,” he stated.
Lamido urged Nigerians to recognize that Tinubu’s actions have implications beyond 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,” he emphasized.
Expressing disappointment over the internal crisis within the PDP, particularly the defection of former Delta State Governor and 2023 presidential running mate, Ifeanyi Okowa, Lamido stated, “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 reiterated that it is fundamentally wrong for any Nigerian president to leverage state resources to undermine political opponents.
“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?” Lamido questioned.
“If he thinks with his position he can do and undo, let’s wait and see. What is happening today is beyond PDP; destroying PDP, destroying the country, and in the near future nobody will survive it.”
The presidency has consistently refuted allegations from opposition politicians, maintaining that those who have defected to the ruling party did so voluntarily.
