Sule Lamido, the former governor of Jigawa State, has characterized President Bola Tinubu as a bold and skilled politician who skillfully navigated the country’s political landscape to become president despite considerable opposition.
In an interview with the Nigerian Tribune, Lamido, a prominent figure in the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), praised Tinubu’s political acumen.
He noted that Tinubu “was adept at studying and manipulating the Nigerian political system, exploiting it effectively.”
Lamido recalled that before the All Progressives Congress (APC) convention, Tinubu had confidently declared in Abeokuta, Ogun State, that it was his turn to lead Nigeria.
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“And Buhari, very naive, was watching. He never liked Tinubu. There was somebody he wanted.
“He didn’t even trust his own vice president, Professor (Yemi) Osinbajo; he wanted Ahmed Lawan, but his calculation was absurd.
“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.
“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.
“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.
“All the other groups, including the governors, were there but he won. He was determined to demolish all obstacles and he crushed them.”
“At some point, the odds were against me; banks were locked. But Allah, the Almighty God, said I will be the President. Mine is to now follow the leading and teaching of the Almighty God.
“One of the most potent elements of defence is a good conscience. It is also a defence against corruption.”
