Former Governor of Jigawa State, Sule Lamido, has accused President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of weaponizing state institutions to suppress political opposition and undermine Nigeria’s democracy.
Speaking during an interactive session with journalists in Kano, Lamido claimed that agencies such as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) were being used to silence dissent and coerce opposition leaders into submission.
“As an example, take Okowa—he was the PDP’s vice-presidential candidate. Suddenly, he’s facing charges of N1.3 trillion. Then he joins APC and, just like that, no EFCC, no case. Everything is buried,” Lamido stated.
He referenced the widely circulated quote attributed to Senator Adams Oshiomhole: “Once you join APC, your sins are forgiven.” Although Oshiomhole has since denied making the remark, Lamido said the current administration’s actions validate its sentiment.
The former governor accused the Tinubu administration of employing divide-and-rule tactics and manipulating public institutions for political gain. According to him, this approach is eroding the country’s democratic foundation, fostering insecurity, mistrust, and national disunity.
“Today, Nigeria is not the country it was 25 years ago. There is no security, no stability, no trust. You can’t have a united country when its components are at odds with each other,” he lamented.
On potential coalitions ahead of the 2027 general elections, Lamido contrasted the current fragmented efforts with the structured 2014 coalition that led to the formation of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
“What we had in 2014 was a coalition of institutions—CPC, ACN, ANPP, and PDP defectors. Today’s so-called coalition is a loose gathering of individuals, with no institutional base or clear parameters,” he said.
He stressed that any credible effort to unseat the APC must be grounded in democratic ideals and national interest, not driven by ambition, revenge, or personal vendettas.
Despite ongoing internal challenges within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Lamido reaffirmed his loyalty to the party.
“I remain in PDP. I was made, jailed, harassed, and nearly killed because of PDP. I will not renounce my history, my legacy, my heritage,” he declared. “But I will support any arrangement—within or outside the PDP—that can secure Nigeria in 2027.”
Responding to allegations of anti-party activity, Lamido dismissed the criticism as hypocritical, pointing to previous defections and current alliances with the ruling party.
“If I’m fighting for the PDP to return to its ideals, how is that anti-party? I was called anti-party in 2023, but what about 2014 when PDP governors defected to form the APC? Was that not a mega anti-party act?” he asked.
He also criticized prominent PDP members who openly support President Tinubu without facing any party sanctions.
“There are governors and ministers claiming to be PDP but working for Tinubu. You’re calling me anti-party? Then yes—I will do anti-party to build Nigeria, not to destroy it.”
Lamido concluded by urging the PDP to rediscover its founding values—transparency, fairness, and internal democracy—if it hopes to reclaim national relevance.
“The party lacks the courage to do what is right. If the PDP can return to its principles, it can come back stronger. But not with double-dealing leaders,” he said
