In a recent interview with the Nigerian Tribune, Sule Lamido, the former governor of Jigawa State and a prominent member of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), offered a candid assessment of President Bola Tinubu’s political prowess. Lamido described Tinubu as a “very daring and adept politician” who successfully navigated and manipulated Nigeria’s political landscape to achieve the presidency despite considerable opposition.
According to Lamido, Tinubu demonstrated exceptional skill in understanding and exploiting the intricacies of the Nigerian political system. “He was adept at studying the Nigerian political system, manipulating it. He exploited it and he did it well,” Lamido remarked.
Reflecting on Tinubu’s rise, Lamido recounted a pivotal moment before the All Progressives Congress (APC) convention, where Tinubu made a bold assertion in Abeokuta, Ogun State, declaring it was his turn to lead Nigeria. This stance reportedly caught the attention of then-President Muhammadu Buhari, who was perceived as having reservations about Tinubu. Buhari, Lamido noted, preferred another candidate and had even expressed distrust towards his own vice president, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, in favor of Ahmed Lawan.
Lamido criticized Buhari’s attempt to maneuver within the political landscape, stating, “You have done eight years for the North and you wanted another northerner for another eight years?! No. Maybe later, but there are some dynamics which you can’t alter, not in Nigeria of today.”
He pointed out that Buhari’s reluctance to support Tinubu was evident, yet Tinubu emerged victorious at the APC convention despite Buhari’s disapproval. “The president of Nigeria, after being in office for eight years, lacked the courage to push through his anointed choice. He was there at the convention and Tinubu that he never liked, he never believed, in emerged.”
Lamido concluded by emphasizing that Tinubu’s victory was achieved independently of Buhari’s support. “Tinubu knows that his victory wasn’t from Buhari, therefore, he owes him nothing. He wasn’t the choice of Afenifere, Obasanjo never liked him, but he became president.”
