2027: Tinubu weaponising state institutions to weaken opposition — Sule Lamido
Former Governor of Jigawa State Sule Lamido has accused President Bola Tinubu of weaponising state institutions to weaken opposition and democratic values ahead of the 2027 election.
Mr. Lamido made the remarks during an interactive session with journalists in Kano on Tuesday.
The former governor alleged that institutions like the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, were being used to hound opposition figures into submission.
“As an example, take Okowa. He was PDP’s vice-presidential candidate. Suddenly, he’s facing charges of N1.3 trillion. Then he joins APC, and just like that, no EFCC, no case. Everything is buried,” he said.
He noted that this trend had validated a claim by the national chairman of the APC, Adams Oshiomhole, that “Once you join APC, your sins are forgiven.
Mr Lamido, however, warned that the manipulation of state institutions and abuse of state power are corroding Nigeria’s democratic foundations, causing insecurity, distrust, and national disunity.
“Today, Nigeria is not the country it was 25 years ago. There is no security, no stability, no trust. You can’t have a united country when its components are at odds with each other.”
While expressing his support for any form of coalition to unseat the APC in 2027, Mr Lamido said unlike the structured alliance of 2014 that birthed the All Progressives Congress, APC, the current efforts were individual-driven and lacked institutional cohesion.
“What we had in 2014 was a coalition of organs—CPC, ACN, ANPP, and PDP defectors. Today’s so-called coalition is a gathering of individuals, with no institutional foundation and no clear parameters,” he added.
While admitting that there were deep internal challenges within the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Lamido reaffirmed his commitment to the party.
“I remain in PDP. I was maimed, jailed, harassed, and nearly killed because of PDP. I will not renounce my history, my legacy, or my heritage. But I will support any arrangement, within PDP or outside PDP, for a secure Nigeria in 2027,” he declared.
On accusations of anti-party activity, he said, “If I am fighting for PDP to return to its ideals, how is that anti-party? I was called anti-party in 2023, but what of 2014 when PDP governors defected to form APC? Was that not a mega anti-party action?” he asked rhetorically.
He lamented the hypocrisy within PDP ranks, where sitting PDP governors and prominent stakeholders are openly supporting President Tinubu without consequence.
“There are governors and ministers claiming PDP but working for Tinubu. You’re calling me anti-party? Then I will do anti-party to build Nigeria, not to destroy it,” he fired.
