Tinubu Owes Buhari Nothing, He Knows Ex-President Worked Against Him – Sule Lamido

• Sule Lamido describes President Tinubu as a self-made leader who overcame obstacles, emphasizing his political emergence independent of Buhari’s support
• Lamido warns that defeating Tinubu in the 2027 elections will be difficult due to his strong control over Nigeria’s political landscape

Sule Lamido, a former governor of Jigawa State, has described President Bola Tinubu as a daring and self-made leader who owes his political emergence to no one, including his predecessor, Muhammadu Buhari. Lamido, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), shared his thoughts in an interview with the Nigerian Tribune.

He stated, “Tinubu was adept at studying the system, manipulating it, exploiting it, and he did it well.” According to Lamido, before the convention, Tinubu declared in Abeokuta, Ogun State, that it was his turn to lead Nigeria, while Buhari, whom he described as naive, did not favor Tinubu and had other plans for the presidency.

“He didn’t trust even his vice president, Professor Yemi Osinbajo; he wanted Ahmed Lawan. But his calculation was flawed. After eight years with a northern president, he wanted another Northerner for another eight years? That was not feasible, especially in today’s Nigeria,” Lamido said. He further noted that Buhari lacked the courage to ensure his preferred candidate emerged at the convention, and despite Buhari’s lack of support, Tinubu won the presidency.

Lamido emphasized that Tinubu was not the choice of many influential groups or figures, including Afenifere and former President Obasanjo, but he succeeded anyway. “He was determined to demolish all obstacles and he crushed them,” he added.

Reflecting on the future of the PDP, Lamido acknowledged that while winning the 2027 elections would be challenging, the party is committed to the task. He also warned that Tinubu’s leadership style and control over the country and economy make him a formidable figure. “He is his own creation, a self-made man who overcame numerous obstacles to get to where he is today,” he said.

Lamido pointed out that Tinubu had faced and defeated various established political figures and institutions in his career, making him difficult to challenge. “With Tinubu, Nigeria is a fiefdom, and he is the emperor. He doesn’t care,” he concluded.