A former governor of Sokoto State, Attahiru Dalhatu
Bafarawa, has lamented the state of Nigerian politics, saying that politicians
today are only concerned with fighting for positions rather than working for
the benefit of the masses.
In an interview with BBC Hausa on Sunday, Bafarawa decried the
collapse of real opposition politics in Nigeria, noting that defections by
prominent politicians from opposition parties to the ruling All Progressives
Congress (APC) were driven purely by selfish interests.
“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, who was a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic
Party (PDP) until his resignation on January 13, 2025, stated that Nigerian
politicians have lost genuine concern for the ordinary citizen.
“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,” he said.
“The politics I know is not what is happening today. The
politics I know is about fighting for the interest of the masses — to ensure
they have a good life in all areas such as education, water, healthcare, and
more. I have been in politics for the past 48 years,” he said.
He described the political atmosphere as one marked by
confusion and selfishness, arguing that both political seekers and the masses
are disoriented.
“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,”
Bafarawa added.
The former governor also expressed deep concern over the
alarming rate of illiteracy among youths, especially in Northern Nigeria,
warning that the region’s future is at risk.
“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?” he questioned.
Bafarawa defended poor voters who accept money during
elections, stating that the harsh economic realities they face leave them with
little choice.
“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?” he said.
According to him, only divine intervention can salvage
Nigeria from its current challenges.
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