. Says they are driven by personal ambition, frustration
Former senator and human rights activist, Shehu Sani, has attributed the opposition to President Bola Tinubu’s government to personal frustration, exclusion from power, and failed political ambition, rather than genuine public interest.
Sani, who was handed the National Award of Commander of the Order of the Niger, CON, by the President on June 12, said most of the opposition politicians were once part of the same political establishment they now criticize.
“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 claims that ideological differences separate the opposition from the ruling party, saying that they are all from the same elite class. “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.
Sani, who spoke on Channels TV, criticized ongoing efforts by opposition leaders, such as former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, to build a coalition against Tinubu ahead of the 2027 elections. He described it as irresponsible for the opposition to blame President Tinubu for problems rooted within their own ranks.
He dismissed claims that ideological differences separate the opposition from the ruling party, saying they are all from the same elite class.
He added, “It’s not that they are now Marxists or trade unionists confronting a capitalist order — they’re all from the same bourgeois political class.
“They use every opportunity to weaponise our challenges and present themselves as a better alternative, but many of them have been in power since 1999.”
He criticised ongoing efforts by opposition leaders, such as former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, to build a coalition against Tinubu ahead of the 2027 elections.
Atiku, who has run for the presidency six times, has recently reached out to political heavyweights, including Peter Obi and former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai.
Responding to coalition talks and internal crises within political parties, Sani said it is irresponsible to blame President Tinubu for problems rooted within the opposition’s own ranks.
He said, “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 turn to blame the president — that is irresponsible.
“PDP, NNPP, LP, and SDP should fix their internal problems and stop looking toward the president. Only then can they play the role of a functional opposition”.
According to Sani, it would be naive for anyone to expect the president to resolve crises in rival parties.
“As president of the ruling party, he cannot be expected to fix the very machine that would be turned against him politically. It is a political strategy — just like in football — you want your opponent distracted with internal problems.”
On the Democracy Day national award to some individuals in the country, Sani described it as a call to sacrifice, not a personal celebration.
He commended President Tinubu’s contributions to the June 12 struggle, calling it “unequalled and unparalleled.”
Sani stated, “Tinubu played a pivotal role in triggering a national uprising that led to the redefinition of June 12 decades after. This award is not about us but about June 12. It is an encouragement for Nigerians to make sacrifices”.
Sani noted that a man who once funded and joined pro-democracy protests should now lead a government that is tolerant of dissent.
“Someone who supported, funded, and participated in protests should have a government that is tolerant of protestation”.
He dismissed claims that Tinubu collaborated with the late military dictator Sani Abacha, adding, “Those comparing Tinubu’s government to military rule are being economical with the truth. It was virtually impossible for us then to organise protests or conferences.
“Some of us went to jail, into exile, and lost loved ones. When people comfortably sit in their living rooms and call this regime a dictatorship, we simply laugh. It’s not true”.
“You cannot say what we have today is worse than military rule. Democracy is not yet 100 per cent, but we are very far from where we came from, and we can do better from here”.