- Safiu Kehinde
President Bola Tinubu has on Friday blurred the lines political differences as he met with former governor of Jigawa State and the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) chieftain, Sule Lamido, at the Sultan Bello mosque in Kaduna state.
Lamido, a staunch critic of Tinubu, also appeared to sheath his oratory sword as he was all smiles with the President during the hearty encounter on Friday.
As captured in a post shared on X, the duo were pleasantries with a visibly excited Tinubu, who had earlier arrived in Kaduna for a one-day visit, engaging Lamido in a brief conversation.
Off their friendly physical encounter today, Lamido had constantly criticized the Tinubu-led administration.
The former Jigawa governor had in an interview in June accused Tinubu of behaving like an emperor surrounded by sycophants, and dangerously centralising power.
He further raised alarm over the growing personalisation of national institutions and honours Tinubu’s watch.
“How can one man’s name be stamped on everything in Nigeria? We are becoming a Republic of Tinubu. When you play God, and you have sycophants around you, you end up dancing naked.” Lamido had said.
Reacting to Tinubu’s state visit to Sri Lanka days after the June 12 anniversary, Lamido described Tinubu’s trip as a tragic reflection of Nigeria’s shrinking global stature under his emperor-like governance.
He queried the motive behind the visitation, labelling it a chase of vanity honour.
“Why would a serious leader chase vanity honours while his house is burning? Nigeria is a large, proud nation. What bigger honour is there than being its president?”
The ex- Minister of Foreign Affairs had described the trip as Tinubu’s quest for personal validation rather than diplomacy or national interest.
“Lagos, where Tinubu ruled, is richer and more historic than the small nation he visited.
“This is not leadership—it’s a desperate attempt to rewrite his history and mask a hollow legacy.” He had said.
Lamido likened Tinubu’s leadership to that of a modern-day monarch, stressing that the president has reduced Nigeria to the size of his own tiny personality.
“He governs like a Pharaoh, not a democrat. The institutions—courts, security agencies—are now tools of fear and compliance. Offend him, and he crushes you.” He added.
All these were however shelved aside during their encounter on Friday as both public figures accorded each other respect.