Former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido has urged Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leaders in the state to prepare for alliances with other political parties if the national leadership fails to resolve its ongoing crisis.
Lamido pledged that he would lead the PDP in Jigawa into such alliances to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 general elections.
He made the remarks on Monday during a meeting with PDP leaders and supporters from all 27 local government areas at his office, briefing party faithful on the leadership struggles that have effectively paralysed the party at the national level.
Lamido revealed that the PDP national secretariat remains under police lockdown as rival factions contest control of the National Working Committee (NWC). Despite this, he assured that the PDP leadership in Jigawa is “intact” and ready to act on clear directives.
Ahead of the meeting, Lamido reportedly held discussions with former President Olusegun Obasanjo and former Senate President Bukola Saraki, exploring solutions to the party’s deepening crisis.
He noted that the fate of the PDP also depends on governors Bala Muhammed (Bauchi), Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Ahmadu Fintiri (Adamawa), and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Nyesom Wike, as the party’s reconciliation committee, led by Saraki, has consulted with them to broker peace.
Lamido, a founding member of the PDP since 1998, warned that failure of internal reconciliation would make alliances with other opposition parties unavoidable.
“If reconciliation fails, alliances, not coalitions, will become inevitable. You know there is a difference between alliance and coalition; we are going to form alliances with any of the opposition parties,” he said.
He added that the outcome of the reconciliation efforts would be communicated to grassroots leaders on Wednesday, after which the PDP in Jigawa would be directed on the way forward.
No Merger, Only Strategic Partnerships
Lamido clarified that the PDP is not considering a merger with other parties but is exploring strategic alliances capable of reshaping Nigeria’s political landscape ahead of the 2027 elections.
His remarks come amid speculation about his possible defection, particularly after his inability to purchase the nomination form to contest the National Chairman position—a matter he is pursuing in court.
Despite his long-standing association with the party, Lamido criticised PDP governors, lawmakers, and leaders for neglecting party unity and prioritising personal interests over the party’s collective survival.
The ongoing crisis, which has triggered high-profile defections to the APC, centers on the battle for the National Chairman position and has deepened internal fractures since the 2023 general elections.
