Former Governor of Jigawa State, Alhaji Sule Lamido, has given the Peoples Democratic Party a 10-day deadline to resolve its internal crisis. He called for the cancellation of the recent elective convention held in Ibadan and the immediate creation of a national caretaker committee.
Lamido made the appeal while addressing his supporters, including former local government chairmen, former commissioners, and other political appointees, who visited him at his Sharada office in Kano. He expressed concern over the prolonged division within the party, saying that long-standing members like himself have been sidelined by what he described as new forces within the organisation.
According to him, the current problems in the party are partly driven by attempts to diminish his political influence. He explained that his legal actions were not meant to secure a personal position but to safeguard the party’s legacy and defend his fundamental rights, which he believes have been infringed upon.
Lamido maintained that Umar Damagum and Samuel Anyanwu remain the legitimate leaders of the party until their tenure ends on December 8, 2025. He warned that failing to establish clear leadership structures could endanger the future of aspirants, current officeholders, and those preparing to seek re-election.
He called for the formation of a caretaker committee and urged key figures to forgive one another and support efforts to build a united interim leadership. Lamido also encouraged party leaders to hold a joint meeting to sincerely address the challenges facing the organisation and restore its position in national politics.
He advised his supporters to remain calm and patient until December 8 as events continue to unfold.
The party has been engulfed in a leadership crisis. Tensions escalated after one faction went ahead with preparations for a convention despite a court ruling in Abuja stopping the process. Another ruling from a court in Oyo State, however, permitted the convention to proceed, creating conflicting directives and deepening the confusion.
The internal dispute worsened when another faction, aligned with certain national officials, announced a boycott of the Ibadan convention, describing it as unlawful. Several state chapters, including Rivers State, also rejected the convention, citing poor communication and a lack of adherence to due process.
