By Ahmed Rufa’i, Dutse
Former Jigawa State governor and founding father of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Sule Lamido, has urged party leaders and members to accept the caretaker committee associated with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and embrace reconciliation to save the party from deepening crisis.
Lamido made the call while speaking with journalists during a Ramadan Iftar with PDP executives and members in Bamaina, his hometown in Jigawa State.
He described Wike as a politically shrewd figure who took advantage of the leadership vacuum that emerged following the expiration of the tenure of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC).
According to him, the absence of a stabilising structure at the time created an opportunity for the caretaker arrangement to emerge.
“Wike is somebody who is very, very shrewd. I think he saw through the situation and was able to put up a caretaker committee. By the time the tenure of the existing NWC elapsed, the only structure available was the one backed by him,” Lamido said.
The former governor acknowledged that many party members may have reservations about Wike but stressed that the current political reality demands dialogue and compromise.
“Even though many of us may not like him or we are fighting him politically, we must invite him in the spirit of Nigeria, in the spirit of brotherhood and PDP sisterhood. We must reconcile and move forward,” he added.
Lamido said the internal crisis rocking the party and the wave of defections in recent times have deeply worried many loyal members.
He noted that resolving the leadership dispute quickly was critical for the party’s survival and future electoral prospects.
The PDP chieftain also warned that prolonged internal disputes could affect the party’s ability to meet critical timelines stipulated in Nigeria’s electoral laws ahead of future elections.
“If we do not unite and put our house in order, the time constraints in the electoral law may prevent the party from properly preparing for elections,” he cautioned.
Reflecting on the significance of the Ramadan season, Lamido said the holy month offers an opportunity for reflection, forgiveness and reconciliation among party stakeholders.
“We thank Almighty Allah for sparing our lives to witness another Ramadan and for giving us the strength to observe the fast. We pray that Allah accepts our acts of worship and our supplications for the peace, security and prosperity of Nigeria,” he said.
He emphasised that the PDP belongs to all its members and should not be seen as the property of any individual.
“The PDP is a collective institution. It made many of us who we are today. Therefore, we must give back to the party by ensuring its survival and preserving its legacy,” he said.
Lamido also traced the origin of the current crisis to disagreements among some governors and key political actors within the party, stressing that unity and inclusive leadership remain the only path to restoring stability.
He urged party leaders to rise above personal interests, reconcile their differences and work collectively to reposition the party.
“Our duty now is to protect the heritage of the PDP and ensure the party continues to serve Nigerians,” Lamido said.
