A former governor of Jigawa State, Sule Lamido, has publicly distanced himself from the planned national convention of the Nyesom Wike-backed faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Lamido's stance is a departure from his earlier call for stakeholders to support the caretaker structure led by Wike. The former governor clarified that his interest lies in achieving peace within the PDP, rather than backing any particular faction. Lamido's comments come as the PDP grapples with internal divisions and factionalism. He emphasized that the party's founding members, including Adamu Chiroma, Alex Ekwueme, and Solomon Lar, are the true custodians of the party's ideology.
The PDP's infighting has far-reaching implications for Nigeria's democracy. Sule Lamido's call for peace within the party is timely, especially given the party's history of producing leaders who have shaped the country's destiny. However, the party's leadership crisis has already begun to affect its chances in the next general election. As Lamido noted, the PDP's founding members are the ones who truly understand the party's ideology and its role in Nigeria's development. It is imperative that the party's leaders put aside their differences and focus on presenting a united front to Nigerians. The PDP's ability to do so will determine its relevance in the country's political landscape.
