Former Jigawa State governor and founding member of the Peoples Democratic Party, Alhaji Sule Lamido, on Tuesday, accused President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of using state resources to stifle opposition voices, warning that such actions threaten Nigeria’s democracy.
In an interview with BBC on Tuesday, Lamido said harassment and intimidation of political opponents are signs of a failing government.
The former Jigawa governor said, “When you see intimidation and harassment, these are signs of a government coming to an end. Historically, this is how it begins.
“I have said several times 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 criticised Tinubu for allegedly using national resources to weaken opposition parties, saying such a move is 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,” Lamido warned.
The former Jigawa governor in his reaction to the recent wave of defections from the PDP to the ruling APC, dismissed concerns, insisting 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 said.
Lamido said Nigerians should not see Tinubu’s actions as affecting only 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 said.
On the internal crisis in the PDP, Lamido expressed disappointment especially with the recent defection of the former Delta governor and 2023 presidential running mate of PDP.
“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 said.
Lamido maintained that it is wrong for any Nigerian president to use state resources to undermine opponents.
He added, “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?”
“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.”
