PDP Leadership Crisis: Sule Lamido Calls for Reset. Is it a Power Play or Genuine Reform?

Nigeria’s political landscape is rarely quiet, and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) seems determined to keep it that way. Sule Lamido, the former Jigawa State governor, has thrown another wrench into the works. He’s demanding the dissolution of the Ibadan convention that installed Kabiru Tanimu Turaki as National Chairman, stirring up fresh leadership squabbles within the already fractured party.

Lamido, a PDP stalwart, gathered his loyalists in Kano – former local government chairmen, commissioners, the whole familiar crew. Their purpose? To air grievances and chart a path forward, or perhaps, to position themselves for the next power struggle. He argues that the current acting Chairman, Umar Damagun, and National Secretary, Samuel Anyanwu, should remain in their roles until their terms end in December 2025. Their mandate, according to Lamido, remains valid.

Here’s where things get interesting. Lamido advocates for a caretaker committee to guide the party until the next primaries. A sensible move, he claims, to avoid the party drifting aimlessly and jeopardizing the chances of current officeholders and future aspirants. Fair point. A rudderless ship is a disaster waiting to happen, especially in the turbulent waters of Nigerian politics.

“We can iron things out,” Lamido stated, advocating for forgiveness and reconciliation within the PDP ranks. “After the storm it rains, and then everywhere will be calm.” A nice sentiment, surely, but easy platitudes don’t erase deep-seated political rivalries.

Still, his words carry weight. He’s a veteran, a familiar face in the PDP machinery, someone who’s seen these cycles play out before.

He addressed his supporters, acknowledging their concerns about his treatment by the party. Lamido assured them that he is fighting to preserve the PDP’s legacy and protect his own rights. His recent legal actions, he insists, aren’t about personal ambition but about safeguarding the party’s original ideals.

That’s a crucial point. Lamido suggests that “outsiders” have hijacked the PDP, sidelining its founding members. This claim resonates with the underlying tensions often seen in political parties – the old guard versus the new blood, the struggle for control between those who built the institution and those who seek to reshape it. This kind of disruption can lead to instability.

Babanbi Ibrahim, Chairman of the Ex-Political Appointees Forum, echoed these sentiments. The forum condemned the party’s treatment of Lamido, saying he was unfairly denied the opportunity to contest for the national chairmanship. It’s clear that Lamido’s supporters feel he’s been wronged, and they’re ready to fight for him.

Now, let’s dissect this a bit. Is Lamido a selfless champion of party unity, or is he maneuvering for a better position? Most likely, it’s a bit of both. Political actors rarely act out of pure altruism. There’s always a calculation, a strategic element at play.

It’s worth noting that calls for caretaker committees often surface when factions within a party are locked in a stalemate. It’s a way to pause the infighting, regroup, and perhaps, reset the balance of power. A caretaker setup gives everyone a breather, potentially allowing cooler heads to prevail or just providing a window for fresh alliances to form.

But it’s also a gamble. Caretaker committees can become entrenched, extending their mandates indefinitely. They can also be manipulated by certain factions to further their own agendas, exacerbating the very problems they were meant to solve.

So, what’s the likely outcome? Hard to say. The PDP has a history of internal strife, but it also has a knack for muddling through. Lamido’s call for dissolution could be a catalyst for meaningful reform, forcing the party to address its underlying issues. Or, it could simply deepen the divisions, leading to more chaos and uncertainty. It’s also possible that this is posturing ahead of larger realignments and strategy for the 2027 elections.

One thing is clear: the PDP is at a crossroads. How it navigates this latest crisis will determine its future relevance in Nigerian politics. Whether Lamido’s intervention is a genuine attempt to salvage the party or just another chapter in a long-running power struggle remains to be seen. Only time will reveal the true motives and the ultimate consequences of this turbulent moment.

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Keywords: PDP leadership crisis, Sule Lamido, Nigerian politics, PDP internal strife, Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, Umar Damagun, PDP caretaker committee, 2027 elections