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| Bola Amend Tinubu |
Nigeria’s opposition leaders have raised serious concerns about the country’s democratic future. They accuse President Bola Tinubu and his All Progressives Congress (APC) of trying to create a one-party state. These claims come ahead of the 2027 general elections .
Senator Aminu Tambuwal, a former governor of Sokoto State, claimed the APC is destabilizing opposition groups. He said Tinubu’s government shows clear signs of wanting to weaken democracy. Tambuwal vowed to help form a coalition to remove Tinubu from office in the next election .
Tambuwal spoke after police invited former Kaduna governor Nasir El-Rufai for questioning. El-Rufai leads the African Democratic Congress (ADC). Police accused him of disturbing public peace in Kaduna. The ADC says the charges are politically motivated. They say police sealed their office in Kaduna to stop political meetings .
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar also condemned the police action. He said it is part of a pattern of assaults on civic freedoms. Atiku pointed to an attack on former attorney general Abubakar Malami in Kebbi State. He also noted the disruption of a meeting of Katsina elders discussing security reforms. Atiku said these acts show a coordinated effort to silence dissent .
The League of Northern Democrats expressed concern. They said law enforcement is being used to harass opposition leaders. This happens while criminal violence continues across northern Nigeria. Many communities face daily threats from bandits and terrorists .
Tambuwal defended his own record as Sokoto governor. He is under investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). They probe alleged cash withdrawals of N189 billion during his tenure. Tambuwal called the investigation politically motivated. He said he never missed salary or pension payments as governor .
The senator also addressed past political alliances. He denied betraying former Rivers governor Nyesom Wike. Tambuwal said he stepped down for Atiku in the 2022 presidential race based on principle. He said he still considers Wike a friend but prefers Atiku’s leadership .
Tambuwal recalled his past alliance with Tinubu. It helped him become Speaker of the House of Representatives in 2011. He said Tinubu initially supported another candidate but switched to him after seeing he would win. Tambuwal said that old partnership does not bind him to support Tinubu now .
The former governor renewed his call for state police. He said the centralised system fails to guarantee security. Tambuwal explained that as Sokoto governor, he provided vehicles and support to security agencies. But he could not direct them without clearance from Abuja. He said state police are necessary to improve safety .
The APC has not directly answered Tambuwal’s claims. But the party’s national organising secretary, Sulaiman Argungu, recently said the APC remains open to internal competition. He said anyone can buy nomination forms to run for president in 2027. This includes challenging Tinubu for the party ticket. Argungu said the party appreciates Tinubu’s work but will not shut out other aspirants .
In Rivers State, the APC defended former minister Chibuike Amaechi’s absence from a Tinubu rally. The party said Amaechi was attending law school classes. They said he remains in charge of the party in the state .
Tinubu’s campaign events have sometimes been brief. At a rally in Niger State, he appeared for only seven minutes. He did not give a speech. The event ended quickly after he greeted the crowd .
In Anambra State, the APC held a successful rally despite internal conflicts. Senator Margery Okadigbo led the campaign efforts. She managed to bring together divided party groups. Tinubu promised to work with Anambra governor Charles Soludo if elected. He also criticized his main opponents, Atiku and Peter Obi .
The ADC continues to protest the police treatment of its leaders. The party says no arrests were made after the attack on Malami’s convoy. Yet police quickly invited El-Rufai and other ADC leaders after their event. The ADC says this shows bias in law enforcement .
Tambuwal said he will cooperate with police if invited. But he urged authorities to avoid suppressing opposition voices. He stressed that freedom of assembly and expression are constitutional rights .
The senator confirmed he is working to build a coalition against Tinubu. He said the goal is to remove the APC government democratically in 2027. Tambuwal said the idea that Tinubu is unbeatable is false .