***Mocks him for Securing Just Over 35,000 Votes in Last Election
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Jigawa State has lashed out at the 2023 gubernatorial candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Alhaji Aminu Ibrahim Ringim, over what it described as a desperate smear campaign against former Governor Sule Lamido.
The backlash followed Ringim’s recent public criticism of Lamido’s newly released autobiography, ‘Being True to Myself’, in which the former governor detailed events from his political career—including tensions involving Ringim.
Reacting during a party gathering in Taura Local Government Area, Ringim accused Lamido of distorting history and issued a veiled threat to expose alleged secrets that could “bring him public shame.”
But the PDP, in a strongly worded statement signed by its State Publicity Secretary, Umar Kiyari, mocked Ringim’s political relevance, describing him as a failed candidate struggling for attention.
“It is quite unfortunate—and indeed shameful—that someone who has been a prominent figure in Jigawa politics since the state’s creation could only secure a little over 35,000 votes across the entire state,” Kiyari stated. “This poor showing reflects the widespread rejection of both his candidacy and the NNPP by the good people of Jigawa.”
The PDP further accused Ringim of embarking on a desperate tour across local government areas to peddle falsehoods and salvage his “sinking political boat.” Kiyari described Ringim’s outburst as a frustrated reaction to his loss and a desperate attempt to remain politically relevant.
“Rather than accept the verdict of the people with humility, Alhaji Ringim has chosen to mislead the public with baseless attacks, misinformation, and petty propaganda. His outbursts are nothing more than a reaction to a political reality he continues to deny,” he said.
At the heart of the controversy is Lamido’s autobiography, particularly a chapter titled Intrigues, Lies, and Fetishism, in which the former governor narrates how political actors tried to destabilize his administration by sowing distrust between him and his Chief of Staff—who was none other than Ringim.
“I was told repeatedly that Aminu was using diabolical powers to control me,” Lamido wrote. “There were even stories that he buried a black donkey within the Government House grounds to exert spiritual control over me. But I was never shaken. The only thing that would concern me was if he used such powers to steal public funds—but the records showed that not a single kobo was missing.”
Lamido went on to recount confronting Ringim directly in the presence of the state’s Finance Commissioner, sarcastically telling him to “go on with your wizardry” since the treasury was intact.
Ringim, however, has fired back, claiming the book misrepresents him and accusing Lamido of playing a significant role in the PDP’s 2015 electoral loss. “Lamido is not being fair to himself or his political associates. If he continues to defame me, I may be forced to reveal things that will expose him to public shame,” Ringim warned.
But the PDP is unfazed. “We refuse to be distracted by desperate politicians looking for who to blame for their self-inflicted failures,” Kiyari maintained. “The party remains focused, united, and committed to defending the interests of Jigawa people.”
As the road to 2027 begins to take shape, analysts say the latest war of words between Lamido and Ringim—once close allies—signals a deeper political fracture that could reshape alignments in Jigawa’s political landscape.
