“It’s not that they are now Marxists or trade unionists confronting a capitalist order — they’re all from the same bourgeois political class”
Opposition Figures Not Driven by Public Interest but Bitter Over Power Loss, Says Shehu Sani
Former federal lawmaker and outspoken activist, Senator Shehu Sani, has taken a swipe at Nigeria’s opposition politicians, accusing them of being motivated not by national interest but by personal frustration, exclusion from power, and failed political ambitions.
Speaking during a guest appearance on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Wednesday, the former Kaduna Central senator described most opposition leaders as “disgruntled elements” who were once part of the same political establishment they now oppose.
“When you have a group of disgruntled elements who are frustrated and come together, it’s not about the country or the people — it is simply about being excluded from the system,” Sani declared.
He dismissed suggestions that the opposition represents a true ideological alternative to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), insisting that both camps are part of the same elite ruling class.
“It’s not that they are now Marxists or trade unionists confronting a capitalist order — they’re all from the same bourgeois political class,” he said.
“They use every opportunity to weaponise our challenges and present themselves as a better alternative, but many of them have been in power since 1999.”
Sani’s comments appear to target political heavyweights like former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who has been intensifying efforts to forge a strong opposition coalition against President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 elections.
Atiku, who has unsuccessfully contested for the presidency six times, has in recent months been in talks with notable figures, including Labour Party’s Peter Obi and former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai.
However, Senator Sani cast doubt on the sincerity of these efforts, suggesting that such coalitions are less about rescuing Nigeria and more about regaining lost political influence.
Sani’s criticism adds a new layer to the growing debate over the credibility of Nigeria’s political opposition, especially amid widespread economic hardship and public discontent with the current administration. Read More
