Former Minister Accuses Tinubu's Administration of Undermining Democracy

Former Minister of Foreign Affairs and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain, Alhaji Sule Lamido, has accused the administration of President Bola Tinubu of using state power to coerce opposition members to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC). Lamido maintained that he remains a member of the PDP and is ready to support any political arrangement that can salvage the country from the APC-led Federal Government ahead of the 2027 election. He alleged that the Tinubu administration has completely changed the political narrative and is determined to destroy democracy, deploying state institutions to intimidate, blackmail, and harass opposition members.

Key Takeaways:

• Lamido accused the Tinubu administration of using state institutions to crush the opposition through intimidation, blackmail, harassment, and government patronage.
• He alleged that corruption charges against opposition politicians are often forgiven when they defect to the APC.
• Lamido lamented the challenges of insecurity, stability, unity, and trust besetting the country due to the use of state institutions by the government to undermine democracy.
• He warned that without mutual trust and unity among Nigerians, the country cannot make progress.
• Lamido alleged that the government is deliberately promoting divisive tendencies such as separating the North-Central from the rest of the North and creating divisions between the South-East and South-South for political gain.
• He expressed skepticism about the proposed coalition among opposition parties, saying it lacks clear parameters and is driven by personal ambition rather than a commitment to democracy, unity, and stability.
• Lamido reaffirmed his loyalty to the PDP and expressed willingness to support any arrangement that seeks to secure Nigeria in 2027, but not involving Tinubu or the APC.
• He rejected the idea that creating new states would solve the country's multifaceted challenges, emphasizing that more pressing issues such as insecurity, poverty, and division need to be addressed.
• Lamido also downplayed his supposed personal quarrel with NNPP leader Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, stating that they had a good relationship despite their political differences.

Statistics:

• 2027: The year of the next presidential election, which Lamido is saying he is ready to support any arrangement that can secure Nigeria.
• 2014: The year Lamido mentioned when a coalition of opposition parties was formed, which he considered organic.
• 20:** (no specific number mentioned): ** N (no specific number mentioned): Lamido expressed his skepticism about the proposed coalition among opposition parties, stating that it lacks clear parameters.

Sources:

• Alhaji Sule Lamido, Former Minister of Foreign Affairs and PDP Chieftain.