Former Governor of Jigawa State, Sule Lamido, Discusses the Unique Journey of President Bola Tinubu
In a recent interview with Daily Trust, the former Minister of Foreign Affairs reflected on the political journey of President Bola Tinubu, noting that his path to power differs significantly from that of his predecessors. According to Lamido, leaders like Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi, Murtala Muhammed, Olusegun Obasanjo, and Muhammadu Buhari were shaped by the institutions and constituencies that backed them, whereas Tinubu’s rise to power is largely attributed to his own personality.
Lamido emphasized that Nigerian leaders rarely achieve success alone, and that their success is often a result of building something meaningful for future generations. He also stressed that Tinubu’s ability to consolidate power is not a trait to be admired, but rather a pharaonic rule that prioritizes personal gain over the country’s benefit.
The Connection Between the PDP and APC Crises
Lamido also spoke about the current crisis within the opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and its connection to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). He noted that many key members of the APC were once influential PDP members, and that the APC is, in a sense, a product of the PDP’s internal conflicts.
Lamido believes that the current president, Muhammadu Buhari, was never a member of the PDP, but that nearly 90% of the APC’s current members came from the PDP. He emphasized that the PDP’s internal conflicts and the APC’s formation are interconnected, and that the only way forward is for both parties to set aside their grievances and work together for the country’s sake.
Reconciling the PDP and Restoring Unity
Lamido expressed his desire to see the PDP restored to its former glory, noting that the party that governed from 1999 to 2014 was the real PDP. He believes that the party’s current state is a result of internal conflicts and betrayal, and that those who left the party to join the APC should reconsider and work together to solve Nigeria’s problems.
Lamido is working with other stakeholders to restore the PDP, but emphasized that their strategies are private and not yet ready for public consumption. He believes that the PDP has the potential to offer a credible alternative to the APC, and that unity is key to achieving this goal.
