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\u2019s comments follow Tinubu\u2019s controversial Democracy Day speech, which many interpret as an effort to distort the nation\u2019s democratic narrative.<\/p>\n
Lamido warned of a looming dictatorship, describing Tinubu\u2019s leadership style as that of an emperor surrounded by sycophants, dangerously centralising power in ways that threaten Nigeria\u2019s democratic fabric. \u201cWe are witnessing a dangerous trend where one man\u2019s name is being stamped on everything,\u201d Lamido exclaimed. \u201cWe 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
The former governor also dismissed Tinubu\u2019s recent claims that he and Senator Ameh Ebute played pivotal roles in the June 12 struggle for democracy. Lamido lambasted this narrative as \u201can effort to distort the facts and reward betrayal.\u201d He pointed out that Ebute was appointed Senate President by the Ibrahim Babangida military regime after Senator Iyorchia Ayu was ousted for resisting Babangida\u2019s anti-democratic plans. \u201cRewarding Ebute as a June 12 hero is a travesty,\u201d Lamido declared. \u201cHe was nothing but a tool of Babangida\u2019s will. Ayu was the true patriot who fought for democracy and paid the price for it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Addressing Tinubu\u2019s version of history further, Lamido challenged the claim that Tinubu could rally support during the June 12 upheaval. \u201cAt that time, Abacha had dissolved the National Assembly and all political parties,\u201d he pointed out. \u201cThere was no legislature left for Tinubu to mobilise or lead.\u201d<\/p>\n
Lamido also condemned the consolidation of awards, honours, and symbols of national pride under Tinubu\u2019s administration. \u201cHow can one man\u2019s name be stamped on everything in Nigeria? We are creating a pseudo-republic of Tinubu,\u201d he warned. \u201cWhen a leader begins to see himself as a deity, surrounded by sycophants, it\u2019s a dangerous path \u2014 like playing God and dancing naked in the public eye.\u201d<\/p>\n
On the unfolding political developments in Rivers State, Lamido criticised Tinubu\u2019s efforts to appoint local officials as unconstitutional. \u201cEven under a state of emergency, the constitution does not grant the President such powers,\u201d he argued. \u201cIt\u2019s the responsibility of the National Assembly to oversee such decisions. What Tinubu is doing is an outright assault on democracy.\u201d<\/p>\n
The veteran politician also lent his support to Senator Seriake Dickson\u2019s recent criticisms of Tinubu\u2019s undemocratic tendencies. \u201cDickson is speaking the truth \u2014 you cannot claim to stand for democracy while promoting militocracy,\u201d Lamido emphasised. \u201cImposing non-elected figures in a democratic system is a clear distortion of the rule of law.\u201d<\/p>\n
Lamido wasn\u2019t shy about criticising other political actors either. He castigated Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, for his constant praise of Tinubu. \u201cWike\u2019s admiration is nothing but theatrical sycophancy,\u201d Lamido remarked. \u201cHe\u2019s merely defending his office \u2014 governors do that while in power. Once they\u2019re out, they fade into obscurity. The office is transient; Wike\u2019s praise is fleeting.\u201d<\/p>\n
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. \u201cToday, awards are given based on betrayal or compromise, not achievement,\u201d Lamido stated.<\/p>\n
Reiterating his concern about Nigeria\u2019s institutions, Lamido emphasised that the judiciary, INEC, the executive, legislature, and political parties \u2014 all institutions meant to uphold democratic governance \u2014 are now under Tinubu\u2019s influence and manipulation.<\/p>\n
\u201cTinubu is clever \u2014 he may fool some, but not all of us,\u201d Lamido warned. \u201cHe is centralising power like the Pharaoh of old. History shows that such emperors often end up destroying themselves and their regimes.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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