Rights activist, Senator Shehu Sani, has revealed that most opposition figures attacking President Bola Tinubu are not driven by concern for the people but by frustration over lost power and ambition.
Sani stated this when he featured on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Wednesday.
He also described the opposition leaders as politicians from the same ruling class they now claim to challenge.
The ex-Kaduna Central lawmaker said, “When you have a group of disgruntled elements who are frustrated and come together, it’s not about the country or the people — it is simply about being excluded from the system.
“It’s not that they are now Marxists or trade unionists confronting a capitalist order — they’re all from the same bourgeois political class.
“They use every opportunity to weaponise our challenges and present themselves as a better alternative, but many of them have been in power since 1999.”
He criticised efforts to build coalitions against Tinubu ahead of 2027.
Speaking on the crisis within the opposition parties, Sani insisted that it is “irresponsible” to blame Tinubu for crises within opposition parties like the PDP, NNPP, SDP, or LP.
He warned it would be naïve to expect Tinubu to fix his opponents’ problems.
“It’s unfortunate that the opposition is looking to the president to solve their problems. If there’s a problem in the PDP, NNPP, SDP or any party, and you have members working against the party but refuse to expel or suspend them, then turning to blame the president is irresponsible.
“PDP, NNPP, LP, and SDP should fix their internal problems and stop looking toward the president. Only then can they play the role of a functional opposition,” he said.
“As president of the ruling party, he cannot be expected to fix the very machine that would be turned against him politically. It is a political strategy — just like in football — you want your opponent distracted with internal problems,” he said.
On Nigeria’s Democracy Day, Sani praised Tinubu’s contribution to the June 12 struggle, calling it “unequalled and unparalleled.”
“This award is not about us but about June 12. It is an encouragement for Nigerians to make sacrifices,” he added.
He also urged the president to remain open to public protests, saying, “Someone who supported, funded, and participated in protests should have a government that is tolerant of protestation.”
Sani dismissed comparisons between Tinubu’s administration and military rule.
“Those comparing Tinubu’s government to military rule are being economical with the truth… Democracy is not yet 100 per cent, but we are very far from where we came from,” he said.
On the political tension in Rivers State, Sani advised against drastic measures.
“The idea of a state of emergency is just an attempt to find a solution and create space for them to dialogue,” he noted.
In March, Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers, suspending key officials and appointing an administrator to oversee the state.