Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, has slammed the hypocrisy of Nigerian politicians, saying many who once worshipped former President Muhammadu Buhari now speak ill of him after he left power.
Speaking on Saturday at the 2nd Raymond Dokpesi Diamond Lecture organised by the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) in Abuja, Sule said he personally witnessed how sycophants surrounded Buhari throughout his tenure.
“As a governor, I have seen what sycophancy can do. I saw people sit before President Muhammadu Buhari and tell him, ‘You are the best ever; no one can do better.’
But the moment he left office, the same people began to say he was one of the worst presidents Nigeria ever had. The faces were the same— only the timing and the tone changed. That is the true nature of sycophancy,” Sule said.
The Nasarawa governor, who was also honoured with an NIPR fellowship and award, hailed the late media mogul Chief Raymond Dokpesi for his courage in establishing Nigeria’s first private radio and television stations during the military regime.
According to him, Dokpesi’s daring move broke the government’s monopoly on broadcasting and opened the door for free expression in Nigeria.
“We are here to celebrate a media icon. Dokpesi was never afraid to speak truth to power, even in the most difficult times,” he added.
NIPR President, Dr. Ike Neliaku, in his remarks, praised Governor Sule for donating land in Nasarawa State for the establishment of Nigeria’s first Global Public Relations University, saying the project was already at an advanced stage.
Neliaku described the institution as a “knowledge hub” that will train ethical communicators, transformational leaders, and development-minded professionals to bridge the gap between policy and practice in Nigeria’s PR sector.
The event, held in honour of the late DAAR Communications founder, drew a high-profile audience of government officials, media executives, and communication experts — all celebrating Dokpesi’s fearless legacy of innovation and integrity.
