Sule Lamido, a former governor of Jigawa State, has called on aggrieved members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to return to the party ahead of the 2027 general elections. He made this appeal at the PDP National Convention in Abuja on Sunday.
Lamido urged party members not to give up, saying that the PDP is Nigeria's family, not about any individual or ego. He claimed that the party has planted its roots in every village across the country and that several members of other parties, including the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the All Progressives Congress (APC), were once PDP members.
The PDP Caretaker Committee Chairman, Abdulrahman Mohammed, also called on members to embrace inclusiveness as the party repositions itself for the 2027 general elections. Mohammed stated that the PDP has come to renew itself, not to mourn itself, and that the convention is about restoration, order, and renewal.
The PDP has been embroiled in a crisis over its leadership structure, with two factions vying for control. The crisis peaked on March 9 when a court in Abuja affirmed a judgment that restrained the PDP from conducting the national convention.
The PDP's internal crisis is a stark reminder of the party's inability to manage its affairs effectively. Sule Lamido's call for unity and inclusiveness is a welcome development, but it remains to be seen whether the party's leaders will take concrete steps to address the underlying issues. The PDP's claim that it has planted its roots in every village across Nigeria is a testament to its past influence, but it also highlights the need for the party to adapt to changing circumstances. As the party repositions itself for the 2027 general elections, it must prioritize transparency and accountability to regain the trust of Nigerians. The party's failure to do so will only exacerbate its decline and undermine its chances of success.
