***Calls for reconcilliation
A founding figure of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Sule Lamido, has called on party stakeholders to close ranks and rally behind the caretaker leadership structure associated with Nyesom Wike, warning that continued internal divisions could further weaken the opposition party.
Lamido made the appeal during a Ramadan Iftar with PDP leaders and stalwarts at his residence in Bamaina, Jigawa State, where he stressed the need for reconciliation and collective responsibility in stabilising the party.
The former governor said the PDP must prioritise unity and political survival rather than deepen internal rivalries that could diminish its relevance in Nigeria’s political landscape.
According to Lamido, the caretaker arrangement supported by Wike emerged out of necessity following the expiration of the tenure of the party’s National Working Committee.
He described the FCT minister as a politically calculating figure who acted quickly to fill the leadership vacuum that threatened to paralyse the party.
“Wike is a very strategic politician. When the leadership tenure ended and a vacuum appeared, he moved swiftly to establish a caretaker committee. At that moment, it became the only functional structure available,” Lamido said.
While acknowledging that Wike remains a polarising figure within the party, Lamido insisted that personal grievances must give way to dialogue and compromise if the PDP hopes to regain stability.
“Some people may not agree with him politically, but that should not stop us from engaging him in the spirit of unity and brotherhood. The task before us now is reconciliation and rebuilding the party,” he said.
Lamido expressed concern over persistent internal wrangling and recent defections that have unsettled the PDP’s ranks, warning that prolonged leadership disputes could damage the party’s chances in future elections.
He noted that Nigeria’s electoral calendar leaves little room for protracted political crises, adding that unresolved leadership disputes could disrupt candidate selection and other preparations ahead of upcoming polls.
Reflecting on the significance of the Ramadan season, Lamido urged party leaders to embrace forgiveness and reflection as pathways to reconciliation.
He emphasised that the PDP remains a collective institution that belongs to its members and should not be reduced to a battleground for factional interests.
“The PDP is a heritage built by many people. It is bigger than any individual or group, and it is our responsibility to protect and strengthen it,” he said.
Lamido therefore urged party leaders across the country to put aside personal ambitions, reconcile their differences and work together to reposition the PDP as a formidable political force.
“Our duty now is to safeguard the legacy of the PDP and ensure it remains strong enough to provide leadership and direction for Nigerians,” he added.
