Sule Lamido Calls For Political Unity As Nigeria Faces Crossroads.
As Nigeria embarks on the long road to the 2027 general elections, former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido has made an impassioned plea for political unity, urging estranged members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to return to the fold and join hands in rebuilding the nation.
Speaking at a Ramadan Iftar gathering held at his country home in Bamaina, Birnin Kudu Local Government, Lamido used the occasion to call for reflection and reconciliation amid Nigeria’s mounting economic and security challenges. He argued that the democratic stability once provided by the PDP has proven elusive under the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
“This month is a time of worship, a time of prayer and supplication,” Lamido told the assembled guests. “We are here not just to break our fast, but to renew our bonds of friendship and strengthen our political family.”
In a wide-ranging address that tackled Nigeria’s turbulent political landscape, the former governor painted a grim picture of the nation’s current state, pointing to escalating poverty, widespread insecurity, and faltering leadership. He took aim at those who defected from the PDP to the APC in 2014, suggesting their hopes for a brighter future had been dashed.
“The PDP laid the foundation for Nigeria’s stability from 1999 onwards,” he said. “Even APC leaders like President Tinubu and former President Buhari reaped the benefits of the structures and governance we established. Those who left in search of greener pastures must now ask themselves: Are we better off today than we were under the PDP?”
Lamido also cast doubt on the viability of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), dismissing it as an “emotional response” rather than a serious contender. He traced its origins to its creation under military ruler General Ibrahim Babangida, arguing that it lacks the grassroots support needed to challenge the PDP or APC. “The SDP cannot defeat either of the two major parties; it simply isn’t built for that,” he asserted.
In a bid to mend fences, Lamido extended an olive branch to former PDP members now in the APC, encouraging them to set aside any guilt and return to their political roots. “There’s no shame in coming back home,” he said. “Politics shouldn’t be about emotion or revenge. If we genuinely want to fix Nigeria, we must reunite and rebuild together.”
With another pivotal election cycle looming, Lamido’s remarks have sparked fresh debate about the PDP’s prospects and the broader direction of Nigerian politics. His call for unity strikes a chord at a time when the country grapples with deepening crises, serving as a rallying cry for those who believe the PDP can reclaim its past prominence.
Whether his message will resonate with disillusioned defectors or galvanise the party faithful remains uncertain. What is undeniable, however, is that Nigeria stands at a critical juncture, with its political future hanging in the balance.