Former Jigawa State governor and founding member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Sule Lamido, has accused President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of weaponising state power to stifle opposition voices, warning that such actions threaten Nigeria’s democracy.
Lamido, who spoke in an interview with BBC on Tuesday said harassment and intimidation of political opponents are signs of a failing government.
“When you see intimidation and harassment, these are signs of a government coming to an end. Historically, this is how it begins,” Lamido said.
“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.”
He criticised the president for allegedly using national resources to weaken opposition parties, a move he described 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.
Reacting to the recent wave of defections from the PDP to the ruling APC, Lamido dismissed concerns, insisting the issue transcends partisan politics.
“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?”
Lam “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 repeatedly denied allegations of opposition politicians, saying those who defected to the ruling party did so freely.
