In a fiery and uncompromising interview, Sule Lamido, the former Governor of Jigawa State and a founding member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), accused President Bola Tinubu, accusing him of attempting to rewrite Nigeria’s democratic history. Lamido’s comments follow Tinubu’s controversial Democracy Day speech, which many interpret as an effort to distort the nation’s democratic narrative.

Lamido warned of a looming dictatorship, describing Tinubu’s leadership style as that of an emperor surrounded by sycophants, dangerously centralising power in ways that threaten Nigeria’s democratic fabric. “We are witnessing a dangerous trend where one man’s name is being stamped on everything,” Lamido exclaimed. “We are turning into a Republic of Tinubu. When you play God, and your circle consists of yes-men, you end up dancing naked, exposed and vulnerable.”

The former governor also dismissed Tinubu’s recent claims that he and Senator Ameh Ebute played pivotal roles in the June 12 struggle for democracy. Lamido lambasted this narrative as “an effort to distort the facts and reward betrayal.” He pointed out that Ebute was appointed Senate President by the Ibrahim Babangida military regime after Senator Iyorchia Ayu was ousted for resisting Babangida’s anti-democratic plans. “Rewarding Ebute as a June 12 hero is a travesty,” Lamido declared. “He was nothing but a tool of Babangida’s will. Ayu was the true patriot who fought for democracy and paid the price for it.”

Addressing Tinubu’s version of history further, Lamido challenged the claim that Tinubu could rally support during the June 12 upheaval. “At that time, Abacha had dissolved the National Assembly and all political parties,” he pointed out. “There was no legislature left for Tinubu to mobilise or lead.”

Lamido also condemned the consolidation of awards, honours, and symbols of national pride under Tinubu’s administration. “How can one man’s name be stamped on everything in Nigeria? We are creating a pseudo-republic of Tinubu,” he warned. “When a leader begins to see himself as a deity, surrounded by sycophants, it’s a dangerous path — like playing God and dancing naked in the public eye.”

On the unfolding political developments in Rivers State, Lamido criticised Tinubu’s efforts to appoint local officials as unconstitutional. “Even under a state of emergency, the constitution does not grant the President such powers,” he argued. “It’s the responsibility of the National Assembly to oversee such decisions. What Tinubu is doing is an outright assault on democracy.”

The veteran politician also lent his support to Senator Seriake Dickson’s recent criticisms of Tinubu’s undemocratic tendencies. “Dickson is speaking the truth — you cannot claim to stand for democracy while promoting militocracy,” Lamido emphasised. “Imposing non-elected figures in a democratic system is a clear distortion of the rule of law.”

Lamido wasn’t shy about criticising other political actors either. He castigated Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, for his constant praise of Tinubu. “Wike’s admiration is nothing but theatrical sycophancy,” Lamido remarked. “He’s merely defending his office — governors do that while in power. Once they’re out, they fade into obscurity. The office is transient; Wike’s praise is fleeting.”

He also lamented the erosion of integrity in the national honours system, which he claims has become a political tool rather than a recognition of merit. “Today, awards are given based on betrayal or compromise, not achievement,” Lamido stated.

Reiterating his concern about Nigeria’s institutions, Lamido emphasised that the judiciary, INEC, the executive, legislature, and political parties — all institutions meant to uphold democratic governance — are now under Tinubu’s influence and manipulation.

“Tinubu is clever — he may fool some, but not all of us,” Lamido warned. “He is centralising power like the Pharaoh of old. History shows that such emperors often end up destroying themselves and their regimes.”