ABUJA — Former Senator Shehu Sani has cautioned Nigerians against linking President Bola Tinubu or the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to the internal challenges currently facing the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), the new political platform associated with Peter Obi and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.
The outspoken former lawmaker, who represented Kaduna Central, made the intervention following growing claims that the ruling party is fueling legal and administrative hurdles for the newly formed opposition group. The controversy was amplified by Dr. Umar Ardo, a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), who recently alleged that the NDC's registration was secured through a court order rather than standard Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) procedures.
Reacting to the development via his official X handle, Sani used a marriage metaphor to describe the current political climate. He noted that the movement of high-profile leaders into the NDC constitutes an "abrupt divorce" from their previous political affiliations. According to Sani, the friction and legal battles being witnessed are the natural result of "aggrieved exes" in the political space rather than interference from the presidency.
"Abrupt divorce comes with pains, anger, and consequences," Sani wrote, suggesting that it is only natural for former political partners to "irrationally hunt" those who have left to form new alliances. He emphasized that the legal hurdles, including claims that the NDC failed to satisfy constitutional requirements for registration, are likely driven by those displaced by the new alliance.
The NDC has recently become a focal point for opposition realignment, receiving both Peter Obi and Kwankwaso into its fold on Sunday. However, the allegations regarding its registration process—specifically claims that it relied on a court order from a judge who previously served in Bayelsa—continue to cast a shadow over its legitimacy as a "third force" ahead of the next election cycle.
Do you think Sani's "marriage and divorce" analogy accurately reflects the reality of Nigerian political alliances, or is there more to these legal challenges than just "aggrieved" former partners?
