The immediate past governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, has been trending in the news and social media for alleging that there is an agenda to destroy opposition parties in Nigeria. This statement has sparked mixed reactions from Nigerians and criticism from the ruling party. KINGSLEY ALUMONA sampled the opinions of some Nigerians on this issue. Their views:
Gloria Opurum
In Nigeria I know, it is still the same set of politicians recycling from one party to another. If politicians see where they have a personal interest they quickly jump to the party; and where it does not favour them, they keep recycling themselves. They have forgotten that the main purpose they are in power is to represent the people. Instead, they are representing themselves. We have passed this level as a country. It is high time Nigerian citizens started demanding accountability from politicians at all levels, starting from the ward councillors. Everyone needs to reconsider their roles in governance. Every leader has to start thinking about the betterment of the country.
Aminu Sani
Tyranny in power is not new in Nigeria’s politics. Former President Olusegun Obasanjo and former Kaduna State Governor El-Rufai practised and enjoyed it while in power. I wonder why Nigerians would believe an elder statesman like El-Rufai in his statements against the party he campaigned for, which sponsored his governorship for eight years and submitted his name for ministerial appointment. He should be grateful. If there is any agenda to destroy opposition parties in Nigeria, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the opposition should be responsible for their actions.
Isaiah Ogundare
Vibrant opposition parties are crucial to the sustainability of a democratic government in any nation. They act as checks and balances for the ruling party and offer a balanced disposition towards matters affecting the country. The absence of opposition parties encourages dictatorship and could bring about anarchy in a democratic setting. Nigeria cannot afford to witness undemocratic rules like we have in the military eras. Those planning to kill opposition parties should have second thoughts for the sake of all.
Rabiu Abdallah
He was instrumental in bringing President Bola Tinubu into power and would be instrumental in his ouster. El-Rufai is a game changer and a master planner. He is smarter than most politicians.
Prince Alalade
Democracy in Nigeria is an illusion. Let Mallam El-Rufai check himself. He started from the PDP and got all he wanted before he crossed to the All Progressive Congress (APC), which shows he is an unprincipled politician. All he wants is to be relevant in the government of the day. That is to say, he is a time-server politician or better still lover of any government in power (AGIP). Because he missed out this time around, he is desperate to join forces with the opposition. His intention is selfish, not that he loves the masses and the people of Nigeria.
Abegunrin Olugbenga
Which opposition? Former Governor El-Rufai moved from the former ruling party (PDP, 1999) to the opposition (APC, 2015) and now to another opposition (not yet declared, 2023). So, which opposition is he talking about? There is no moral justification for such a declaration from El-Rufai. Go and ask former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
Albert
There is a clear agenda from the foregoing. What else should we expect when mercy is shown to whoever joins the band? This is 2025, and we are already feeling like it is a one-party system due to the constant attacks and harassment of critics—especially, and surprisingly, those constructive ones. By this, we are left with not much to expect in 2027. It is going to be as foretold.
Umar Rafee
The one-party system President Bola Tunibu is playing is dangerous to democracy. If the opposition is crumbling, how can we have a healthy opposition that may benefit the nation? Democracy cannot flourish without the voice of the opposition.
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