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2027: Sule Lamido accuses Tinubu of intimidation
Sule Lamido, a former Jigawa State governor and one of the founding members of the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has launched a scathing attack on the federal government, accusing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of weaponising state institutions to stifle democracy.
Lamido made the remarks during an interactive session with journalists in Kano where he was questioned about his political position ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Lamido alleged that institutions like the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) were being used to hound opposition figures into submission.
“As an example, take Okowa. He was PDP’s vice-presidential candidate. Suddenly, he’s facing charges of N1.3 trillion. Then he joins APC and just like that, no EFCC, no case. Everything is buried,” he said.
Lamido argued that this trend had validated Senator Adams Oshiomhole’s infamous comment: “Once you join APC, your sins are forgiven.
Oshiomhole has severally denied making the comment, accusing his political rivals of using it for mischief.
However, Lamido warned that the manipulation of institutions and abuse of state power are corroding Nigeria’s democratic foundations, causing insecurity, distrust, and national disunity.
“Today, Nigeria is not the country it was 25 years ago. There is no security, no stability, no trust. You can’t have a united country when its components are at odds with each other,” he said, blaming Tinubu’s administration for using divide-and-rule tactics.
On 2027 coalitions, Lamido said unlike the structured alliance of 2014 that birthed the All Progressives Congress (APC), today’s efforts were individual-driven and lack institutional cohesion.
“What we had in 2014 was a coalition of organs — CPC, ACN, ANPP, and PDP defectors. Today’s so-called coalition is a gathering of individuals, no institutional foundation, no clear parameters,” Lamido said.
He maintained that any coalition aimed at unseating the ruling party must be built on solid ideals — democracy, unity, stability, security, and prosperity and not ambition, revenge, or vendettas.
He reaffirmed his commitment to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
“I remain in PDP. I was made, jailed, harassed, and nearly killed because of PDP. I will not renounce my history, my legacy, my heritage. But I will support any arrangement, within PDP or outside PDP, for a secure Nigeria in 2027,” he declared.
On accusations of anti-party activity, Lamido was defiant.
“If I am fighting for PDP to return to its ideals, how is that anti-party? I was called anti-party in 2023, but what of 2014 when PDP governors defected to form APC? Was that not a mega anti-party action?” he asked rhetorically.
He lamented the hypocrisy within PDP ranks, where sitting PDP governors and prominent stakeholders are openly supporting President Tinubu without consequence.
“There are governors and ministers claiming PDP but working for Tinubu. You’re calling me anti-party? Then I will do anti-party to build Nigeria not to destroy it,” he fired.
Lamido insisted the PDP must return to its founding principles — transparency, fairness, and internal democracy to reclaim national relevance.
“The party lacks the courage to do what is right. If the PDP does the right thing, it can come back stronger. But not with double-dealing leaders,” he said, referencing unresolved issues like the lingering controversy over the party’s national secretaryship.
He also rejected the notion that the current political turmoil is rooted solely in individual ambitions.
“This is not about personalities. It’s about Nigeria, our country is collapsing. The poverty, insecurity, and hunger are real,” he said.
On calls for additional states through constitutional amendments, Lamido said the agitation was legitimate but poorly timed.
The Supreme Court of Nigeria will on Thursday, deliver judgments in two cases involving the leadership crises rocking the African Democratic Congress and the Peoples Democratic Party.
According to information on the official website of the court, the matters, listed under “Political Appeals”, have been added to the cause list for Thursday, April 30, 2026.
While judgment in the ADC matter, marked SC/CV/180/2026, has been fixed for 2 pm, there is no time yet for that if the PDP.
President Bola Tinubu has written the Senate, seeking the screening and subsequent confirmation of fifteen nominees to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC).
The letter was read by the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio.
The letter seeks the reconstitution of the commission’s board in line with statutory provisions with the list comprising nominees from diverse professional backgrounds, including the media and legal sectors.
Among the nominees are the President, Nigeria Guild of Editors and Editor, Vanguard Newspapers, Mr. Eze Anaba; and Dr. Salamatu Hussaina Suleiman, who has been proposed as chairman of the board.
The Executive Secretary of the Commission, Dr. Anthony Ojukwu (SAN) is to retain his position as the Chief Executive Officer.
Other nominees include Mrs Roseline Tasha, Ambassador Adam Yubak Baku, ACG Felix Lawrence, Mr. Edmund Chinonye, Mr. Chinonye Obiaku (SAN), Oluwakemi Asiwaju Okere-Odo, Professor Adedeji Ogunji, Kingsley Chidozie, Mohammed Adelodu, Maupe Ogun Yusuf, and Otunba Francis Meshioye as members.
Also nominated are Patience Patrick and Hawwa Ibrahim, listed as members.
The President said the nominations were made pursuant to Section 2(3) of the National Human Rights Commission (Establishment) Act, 2010, which empowers him to constitute the board subject to Senate confirmation.
He explained that the reconstitution of the board was necessary to enhance the commission’s institutional capacity and enable it to more effectively discharge its mandate to promote and protect human rights across the country.
If confirmed, the new board is expected to play a critical role in reinforcing the NHRC’s oversight functions, particularly at a time of heightened concerns over rights protection and accountability in Nigeria.
Following the presentation of the request, the Senate referred the nominations to its Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters for screening and report within two weeks.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has revealed that it investigated the founder of Streams of Joy International, Pastor Jerry Eze, for six months over suspected money laundering before clearing him.
Ola Olukoyede, chairman of the Commission, disclosed this on Wednesday while speaking at the Jerry Eze Foundation Business Grant Award Ceremony in Abuja.
According to him, the probe was triggered by intelligence reports and petitions after the commission observed large inflows of foreign currencies into the cleric’s domiciliary account.
“We work by intelligence, we work by petitions. At some point, I saw there was an account, a domiciliary account. Dollars, pounds were dropping in like raindrops, from Colombia, from America, from Sri Lanka, even from Togo.
“I said who is this man? Yes, I’ve been hearing about his name, I’ve seen his face a couple of times. I never bothered about what he was doing. I knew he was a pastor.
“So they said this one pastor of streams of joy, go and investigate him. So we went to the investigation. We combed the books,” Olukoyede stated.
The EFCC boss said he subsequently invited Eze for questioning after preliminary findings were compiled by investigators.
He added that upon meeting the cleric and reviewing the findings of the investigation, the commission found no wrongdoing.
“So he came to my office. He told me what happens and all of that, and how the money came, what he does, how he has been helping people, and all of that.
“I said, you know what, I didn’t call you here to explain to me. We have already done our work. I called you here to commend you,” he stated.
The remark drew applause from the audience, as Eze, who was present at the event, acknowledged the commendation.
He noted that the commission has a responsibility not only to investigate financial crimes but also to recognise individuals found to have acted with integrity.
The EFCC chairman, however, stated that the agency would continue to monitor financial activities where necessary, stressing that its preventive mandate remains critical in tackling corruption.
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