From: Ahmed Rufa’i, Dutse
Former governor of Jigawa State and chieftain of the People’s Democratic Party, Alhaji Sule Lamido, has expressed deep concern over what he described as growing confusion and shifting alliances within Nigeria’s political landscape ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Lamido, a former Minister of Foreign Affairs, made the remarks in a statement posted on his official Facebook page, where he lamented the movement of prominent political figures from the PDP to other political platforms.
Reflecting on Nigeria’s democratic journey since the return to civilian rule in 1999, the elder statesman said he was struggling to understand the “political chemistry and direction” currently shaping the nation’s democracy.
According to him, many influential figures presently occupying strategic positions across different political parties were politically nurtured and elevated under the PDP platform.
He listed key figures now in the ruling All Progressives Congress to include Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Secretary to the Government of the Federation George Akume, former APC National Chairman Abdullahi Adamu, as well as former governors Aliyu Wamakko, Danjuma Goje and Abdullahi Ganduje.
He also noted that former Delta State governor Ifeanyi Okowa, who served as the PDP vice-presidential candidate in the 2023 election, is now reportedly backing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a second term.
Lamido further pointed to the growing activities within the African Democratic Congress, where former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and several former PDP governors and ministers, including Liyel Imoke, Rotimi Amaechi, Aminu Tambuwal and Gabriel Suswam, are now politically aligned.
The PDP stalwart also referenced the increasing influence of the National Democratic Coalition, where former Bayelsa governor Seriake Dickson, former Kano governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi are said to be active.
Lamido maintained that virtually all the political actors mentioned attained national prominence through the PDP, insisting that the party played a central role in shaping their political careers and public visibility.
Recalling the events that followed the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election annulment, he said political leaders across party lines worked collectively in 1999 to stabilise the country, rebuild trust and strengthen democratic institutions.
According to him, the political class at the time also succeeded in restoring Nigeria’s leadership role within the Economic Community of West African States and the African Union.
The former governor, however, questioned whether Nigeria has remained faithful to the ideals and vision that guided the nation’s return to democratic rule nearly three decades ago.
“We knew where we were in 1999. Do we know where we are today, 27 years after?” Lamido asked.
