Lamido Laments Political Drift, Questions PDP Loyalists Defecting to Rival Parties
Ibrahim Shuaibu in Dutse
Former Jigawa State governor, Sule Lamido, has expressed concern over what he described as Nigeria’s “murky political environment,” lamenting the defection of several prominent PDP figures to rival political parties ahead of the 2027 general election.
Lamido made the remarks yesterday in a post published on Facebook page, where he reflected on the country’s evolving political landscape.
He said he was struggling to “decipher and understand the political chemistry and direction of the moment in Nigeria” in order to make what he described as “a less confused decision.”
He said many leading figures in the ruling All Progressives Congress, the ADC and the NDC were products of the PDP, stressing that the party played a historic role in shaping Nigeria’s democratic leadership after the end of military rule.
According to him, several of his former colleagues in the PDP were now spread across different political platforms.
“In APC, I have my governor colleagues like Senate President Godswill Akpabio, SGF George Akume, Abdullahi Adamu, Aliyu Wamakko, Danjuma Goje, Abdullahi Ganduje and many others,” Lamido said.
He also referenced former Delta State governor and PDP vice presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Ifeanyi Okowa, whom he said was now leading the second-term campaign efforts of President Bola Tinubu.
Lamido further pointed to the growing coalition in the ADC, where he said former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former governors and ex-ministers including Liyel Imoke, Rotimi Amaechi and Aminu Tambu-wal were now aligning.
He further cited the NDC, where he said former Bayelsa State governor Seriake Dickson and former Kano State governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso were influential figures, alongside Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Peter Obi.
Lamido argued that all the politicians he mentioned rose to national prominence on the PDP platform.
“Whatever titles or status they hold was conferred on them by PDP. Whatever visibility they now command is all thanks to PDP,” he said.
Reflecting on the formation of the PDP in 1999, Lamido said the party and its leaders worked collectively to rebuild Nigeria after the political crisis triggered by the annulment of the June 12 presidential election annulment.
He said the PDP restored national trust, stabilised the country, promoted human development and repositioned Nigeria as a key player within the Economic Community of West African States and the African Union.
“We knew where we were in 1999. Do we know where we are today, 27 years after?” Lamido asked, adding that coalition-building had become necessary for opposition parties to avoid fragmentation ahead of 2027.
