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.
