By Kolawole Ojebisi
Former Jigawa State governor and founding member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Sule Lamido, has accused President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of muzzling opposition voices by weaponising the state power at his disposal.
The PDP chieftain spoke in an interview with BBC on Tuesday night. He 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.
“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 pointedly.
Lamido urged Nigerians not to view Tinubu’s actions as affecting only the PDP, stating, “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.”
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.
He maintained that it is wrong for any Nigerian president to use state resources to undermine 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?”
He continued, “If he thinks with his position he can do and undo, let’s wait and see. What is happening today is beyond 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.
