Former Governor of Sokoto State, Alhaji Attahiru Dalhatu Bafarawa has criticized the recent gale of defections rocking opposition political parties in the country, lately.
Bafarawa was a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) until January 13, 2025, stated that there is no longer any real opposition in Nigerian politics.
Recall that the former governor announced his resignation in a letter addressed to the party executives. He stated that he wanted to focus more on programmes that inspire youths across the country.
Bafarawa disclosed this in an interview with the BBC Hausa Service.
Fielding questions, the former Governor stated that Nigerian politicians are only concerned with their quest for political positions. This is as he criticized them for not doing anything beneficial for the ordinary citizens.
Bafarawa was making allusions to the recent defections by some prominent politicians from opposition parties.
Recall that last week the current Delta State Governor and former Governor of the State decamped from the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Speaking of the development, Bafarawa alleged that the defections were driven by selfish motives. And not for the benefit of the masses.
The former Sokoto State Governor pointed out that “opposition politics is dead in Nigeria.
He said, “Because of this, there is confusion both for the seekers and those being sought after. The seekers are blinded; they have no faith or compassion. Their only goal is to secure positions. Meanwhile, the masses are blinded by hunger, poverty, and ignorance. So, everything is in disarray.
“Today’s so-called opposition is every man for himself. They ask themselves: ‘What can I gain?’ If one door closes to them, they shamelessly find another way, without any fear or shame.
“There is no real opposition anymore. Everyone in the opposition is only concerned about personal gain. Once they get what they want, the idea of opposition disappears. And the masses are left to fend for themselves.”
Bafarawa also revealed that politicians fought each other, not for the people’s benefit, but just to grab political offices.
“Whenever you defeat a people with ignorance by denying them education, you have finished them. Here in the North, honestly, about 70% of our youth have no education. How can a country or region develop without education?
“Do the masses even understand their problems? Are they aware of what they are facing? If you blame the poor masses for accepting money on election day to vote, it’s not entirely their fault. They have been impoverished. They have no jobs, no means of livelihood. What else are they supposed to do?,” Bafarawa queried.