Obasanjo, Abdulsalami, Ayu to Headline Launch of Sule Lamido’s Political Memoir in Abuja

As Nigeria battles fresh waves of insecurity, political distrust, and economic hardship, a new book is set to challenge the conscience of the nation.
Being True to Myself, the deeply personal and politically charged memoir of Alhaji Sule Lamido, will be launched on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, in Abuja—bringing together some of the country’s most influential elder statesmen.
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who wrote the foreword, will attend the launch as Special Guest of Honour. Former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar (rtd), will chair the event, while former Senate President and ex-PDP National Chairman, Dr. Iyorchia Ayu, will review the book. The event is expected to gather a high-powered audience of politicians, diplomats, scholars, and civic leaders.
At a press briefing in Abuja, Senator Mustapha Khabeeb, Chairman of the Book Launch Committee, described the memoir as “a bold and timely intervention in Nigeria’s political discourse, anchored in Lamido’s lifelong refusal to compromise truth for convenience.”
Lamido—former Foreign Affairs Minister and two-term Governor of Jigawa State—offers in Being True to Myself an unflinching account of Nigeria’s journey from the collapse of the 2nd Republic through the dark days of military rule to the still-unfolding story of the 4th Republic.
The book chronicles landmark moments, including his resistance during the June 12 crisis, the internal politics of the PDP, and his personal battles with state persecution.
Khabeeb said the memoir reflects Lamido’s political DNA: progressive, principled, and people-centered. “This is not a vanity project. It’s a national document. A legacy of truth-telling in a time of silence,” he said.
Senator Khabeeb painted a vivid portrait of Lamido as a “Fulani son raised in simplicity, but forged in fire,” noting that the memoir chronicles not only triumphs but the painful costs of standing by one’s convictions. “He was targeted, tried, and taunted—but never broken,” Khabeeb declared.
With this launch, Lamido joins the ranks of political chroniclers who have dared to tell the inside story of Nigeria’s evolving democratic experiment—one marked by betrayals, resilience, and unwavering belief in a better tomorrow.
Beyond the big names and political insights, Being True to Myself also tells the story of a village boy from Bamaina who dared to dream beyond his circumstances, fought for justice, and governed with compassion—especially for society’s most vulnerable.
Lamido’s reflections on unity, justice, and the burden of leadership come at a poignant time. His words, “I believe in Nigeria. I love Nigeria… I have no regrets whatsoever.”
The launch at the NAF Conference Centre promises to be more than a book event—it is poised to be a national moment of reckoning, reflection, and renewed dialogue about Nigeria’s future.