‘Lamido’s Demands Are Impossible’ – PDP Chieftain Umar Sani

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Tensions within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) continue to escalate as prominent party figures trade opposing views over leadership and internal reforms. The latest disagreement centers on a call by former Jigawa State governor Sule Lamido for sweeping changes within the party hierarchy.

Gossip News Now reports that Lamido recently issued a 10-day deadline demanding the dissolution of the current PDP leadership structure. His position also included a call for the reversal of decisions taken during the party’s national convention held in Ibadan, a gathering that produced several key resolutions and leadership outcomes.

However, the proposal has met resistance from other party figures. Umar Sani, who serves as Special Assistant to PDP National Chairman Tanimu Turaki, rejected Lamido’s demands and described them as unrealistic.

Speaking in an interview with the BBC, Sani suggested that the party should focus on reconciliation rather than further disputes. He emphasized that unity is critical at a time when the PDP is facing significant internal challenges.

According to him, the requests being pushed by Lamido and some of his supporters cannot be implemented because the party has already completed the processes that produced the current leadership structure.

Sani also expressed surprise that Lamido, widely regarded as one of the PDP’s founding pillars and respected elders, would support measures that could deepen the party’s divisions.

The PDP official revealed that earlier attempts were made to open dialogue with Lamido. Efforts by the party chairman to meet with the former governor reportedly failed to resolve the disagreements, leaving the situation at a stalemate.

Meanwhile, Lamido’s supporters insist that the controversy stems from violations of party rules. Babandi Ibrahim Gumel, who leads the party structure in Jigawa State, defended Lamido’s stance in a separate interview.

Gumel argued that the leadership currently headed by Umar Damagum still holds a valid mandate. According to him, the tenure of the existing executives remains in effect until December 8, 2025.

In his explanation, Gumel questioned how new leaders could emerge while the existing officials had neither resigned nor completed their tenure. He maintained that until the legitimate leadership cycle ends, there is no vacancy at the top of the party.

Commentary and Analysis

The disagreement highlights the continuing struggle within the PDP to maintain cohesion after several years of internal disputes. Conflicts over leadership legitimacy, party conventions, and factional alliances have frequently complicated efforts to rebuild unity.

Political analysts note that disagreements between influential figures like Lamido and the current party leadership could further weaken the PDP if not resolved through dialogue. Such divisions often affect party strategy and electoral preparation.

For the PDP, achieving internal reconciliation may be crucial as it seeks to reposition itself in Nigeria’s competitive political landscape. Without consensus among key stakeholders, the party risks prolonging the leadership crisis that has overshadowed its activities in recent months.