Former Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido, has issued a rallying cry to opposition leaders, advocating for a strategic and unified front against President Bola Tinubu’s administration and the All Progressives Congress (APC). Speaking during a Ramadan breakfast with Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leaders and supporters in Bamaina, he emphasized the need for a focused approach, devoid of personal animosity, to effectively challenge the current government.
Lamido expressed deep concern over the nation’s escalating challenges, citing widespread poverty, food insecurity, and a general climate of anxiety stemming from what he described as the APC’s “misguided governance.” He asserted, “Nigeria is adrift, plagued by a leadership that has lost its compass. To navigate this crisis, we, as political actors, must transcend personal grievances and embrace a collective, strategic vision. Only then can we present a formidable challenge to the current administration.”
He cautioned against the futility of confronting national institutions based on individual resentments, stressing that enduring success hinges on prioritizing the collective national interest and fostering a shared commitment to that principle. Furthermore, Lamido extended an olive branch to former PDP members who, after migrating to the APC, now find themselves marginalized. He urged figures like Rotimi Amaechi, Nasir El-Rufai, Rabiu Kwankwaso, and Aliyu Wamakko to “retrace their steps” and return to the PDP, their “political home.” He argued that the PDP provided them with the platform for their initial success and that there is no shame in returning to one’s roots. “Political bitterness serves no purpose,” Lamido stated. “True leadership demands a broader perspective.”
He dismissed the notion that newly formed or military-rooted parties like the Social Democratic Party (SDP) or the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) could effectively counter Tinubu’s influence, asserting that a unified PDP remains the most viable alternative.
Lamido’s message underscored the urgency of a cohesive opposition, emphasizing that only through strategic unity and a focus on the national interest can a meaningful challenge to the current political landscape be mounted.
