Abuja, Nigeria — Prominent rights activist and former lawmaker Senator Shehu Sani has claimed that many opposition figures criticising President Bola Tinubu are motivated not by public interest but by personal frustration and political ambition.
Speaking on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Wednesday, the former Kaduna Central Senator accused leading voices in the opposition of being disgruntled members of the same political elite they now seek to challenge.
“When you have a group of disgruntled elements who are frustrated and come together, it’s not about the country or the people — it is simply about being excluded from the system,” Sani said.
He dismissed any suggestion that these critics had undergone ideological transformation, noting that many were once part of the same ruling structures.
“It’s not that they are now Marxists or trade unionists confronting a capitalist order — they’re all from the same bourgeois political class,” he added.
Criticism of Anti-Tinubu Coalitions
Senator Sani criticised recent attempts to form political coalitions aimed at unseating President Tinubu in 2027, calling them opportunistic and lacking genuine ideological conviction. He noted that many of those positioning themselves as alternatives have held power since Nigeria’s return to civilian rule in 1999.
Internal Party Conflicts Not Tinubu’s Fault
Sani also rebuked opposition parties for blaming President Tinubu for internal crises within their ranks, including those in the PDP, NNPP, LP, and SDP.
“It’s unfortunate that the opposition is looking to the president to solve their problems. If there’s a problem in the PDP, NNPP, SDP or any party, and you have members working against the party but refuse to expel or suspend them, then turning to blame the president is irresponsible,” he said.
He argued that expecting the president to “fix the very machine that would be turned against him politically” is politically naive.
Praise for Tinubu’s Democratic Credentials
On the occasion of Nigeria’s Democracy Day, Sani commended President Tinubu’s historic role in the pro-democracy June 12 struggle, describing it as “unequalled and unparalleled.”
“This award is not about us but about June 12. It is an encouragement for Nigerians to make sacrifices,” he stated, referencing the national honours bestowed on democracy advocates.
He also urged the president to uphold democratic values, particularly the right to peaceful protest.
“Someone who supported, funded, and participated in protests should have a government that is tolerant of protestation,” he said.
Rebuffs Military Rule Comparisons
Sani rejected comparisons between Tinubu’s administration and military regimes, saying such views were “economical with the truth.”
“Democracy is not yet 100 per cent, but we are very far from where we came from,” he said, urging Nigerians to appreciate the gains made since 1999.
On Rivers State Political Crisis
Commenting on the ongoing political tension in Rivers State, Sani advised against extreme responses such as a state of emergency, noting it should be seen only as a last resort.
“The idea of a state of emergency is just an attempt to find a solution and create space for them to dialogue,” he said.
President Tinubu had declared a state of emergency in Rivers in March, suspending key officials and appointing an administrator to manage the escalating conflict between political factions.