Senator Shehu Sani has advised Nigeria’s main opposition parties like the PDP, Labour Party, and NNPP to deal with their own internal problems instead of pointing fingers at President Bola Tinubu.

While speaking on Channels TV,  Sani said;

“It is unfortunate that the opposition in the country is looking up to the president to solve their problems.

How logical is it when you have a problem in your house, then you start blaming your neighbour or adversary for it when you should address it. If there is a problem in the PDP, it is for the PDP to solve; if there is a problem in the Labour Party and SDP, it is for the Labour Party and SDP to solve. If there is a problem in the NNPP, it is for the NNPP to solve.

I don’t know whether they are also trying to ask the president to come to their party and solve their problems.

If you are in the PDP and you have people working against your party, you refuse to suspend them, you refuse to expel them, and then you decide to focus on the president as being responsible for your problem. I think you are simply being irresponsible.

If you are in the SDP and you have a crisis in your party and you don’t fix it, and then you are looking for the president or blaming the president, trying to find a scapegoat for your problems, I think you are just unserious.”

He explained that it’s not the president’s duty or desire to fix issues in opposition parties. According to him, any smart politician would naturally enjoy watching their rivals struggle.

“So, to me, as a president from a ruling party, he cannot be seen trying to fix a missile or a gun that will be directed at him. It is part of a political strategy to ensure that your adversary has so much problem within his own area that he will not be able to contend.” he said

Right now, most opposition parties are going through leadership problems. Some of them have accused President Tinubu of causing or benefiting from these internal fights.

On June 12, during his Democracy Day speech, President Tinubu made a sly comment about the state of opposition parties. He compared them to sinking ships, saying he had no interest in helping them out.

The president also mentioned that it actually feels good to see opposition groups falling apart and that he won’t waste time trying to solve their issues.

“Political parties fearful of members leaving may be better served by examining their internal processes and affairs rather than fearfully conjuring up demons that do not exist. For me, I will not say, ‘Try your best to put your house in order.’ I will not help you to do so either.’ It is indeed a pleasure to witness you in such disarray.”  he said