Sule Lamido urges PDP to put differences aside and make amends

Sule Lamido, a former governor of Jigawa State and chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, is urging members to forgive one another and put aside their differences, emphasizing that they are all brothers and sisters.

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The All Progressives Congress, APC, and African Democratic Congress, ADC, are filled with PDP members, according to Lamido, who believes the PDP must reposition itself as a unifying platform to remain relevant in future elections.

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Lamido warns that failure to do so could diminish the PDP's historical legacy, and he is calling on party stakeholders to prioritize unity over rivalry, given the broader challenges facing Nigeria.

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The ongoing internal divisions within the party could weaken its ability to function as a credible opposition force, Lamido cautions, adding that opposition politics requires discipline and unity, especially in the face of security and poverty challenges.

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Lamido lamented that politics has become too trivial, with insecurity, poverty, and divisions being ignored, and governance reduced to mere palliatives, which he likened to easing the pain of a dying person.

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The crisis within the PDP is not just about leadership contests, but about the erosion of unity within a party that once defined Nigeria's democratic architecture, according to Lamido, who described the current situation as a "painful victory" that has deepened division.

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The former minister of foreign affairs noted that the PDP risks losing its strategic relevance if it continues to prioritize personal ambition over collective rebuilding, and he argued that legal wins alone will not heal internal fractures or restore trust among members.

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Lamido stressed that the PDP's foundational strength lies in its broad-based democratic culture, but this strength is being weakened by internal fragmentation and ego-driven politics, which are distracting from the party's core responsibility of offering policy alternatives and holding government accountable.

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He questioned whether the recent judgment has added to the economy, improved security, or reduced poverty, highlighting the need for the party to focus on its core responsibilities.

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Lamido emphasized the need for forgiveness and unity, saying "Let us forgive each other, we are brothers and sisters, why should we be prisoners of the moment, life is dynamic, today's anger should not destroy tomorrow's future."

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He cautioned that family fights can be bitter, but for the sake of posterity, the party must forgive and come back together, and he expressed confidence that the PDP can dominate Nigeria's political landscape for the next 50 years.

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Lamido noted that other parties, such as the APC and ADC, are filled with PDP members, and he wondered who he is fighting, given that it is all PDP in different forms.

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He expressed his confusion over the party's internal struggles, saying "I really, really don't know how to react to this issue, victory is ours, but then victory is for whom, it's a party, which is like a family, and for no reason whatsoever, we found ourselves in this kind of foolish fight, this civil war."

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Lamido emphasized that the party has a history, a shared legacy, and a shared heritage, and he doesn't see why members should fight over positions or leadership, given that the party is built on democracy.

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He stressed that struggling for positions is normal in a democratic party, but it should not get to a personal level where pride and ego come into play, and he noted that his plan, if he had become chairman, was to invite former leaders, such as Obasanjo, Atiku, and Jonathan, to send a strong message that the PDP is back.

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Lamido revealed that many people in the APC are willing to come back to the PDP, but they are unhappy and feel safe where they are, and they are waiting for a strong and protective platform to return.

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He warned that political instability within the PDP could create opportunities for further defections and weaken opposition cohesion nationwide, given that many politicians still move fluidly between parties based on convenience rather than ideology.

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Lamido called for urgent reconciliation efforts, insisting that dialogue remains the only sustainable path to resolving political disputes, and he noted that no matter what is done legally, a political solution is still needed to address unresolved grievances.