FORMER Governor of Jigawa State, Sule Lamido, has backed the decision of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to withdraw recognition of the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), describing key opposition figures associated with the party as “politically displaced.”
News Point Nigeria reports that Lamido made the remarks while addressing journalists after a stakeholders’ consultative meeting of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) held in Dutse, the Jigawa State capital.
The former governor took aim at prominent opposition politicians, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi, and former Kano State governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, accusing them of abandoning their political bases to align with the ADC.
According to Lamido, such moves reflect an inability to resolve internal party disputes and raise concerns about leadership capacity.
“They left established platforms and moved to another party, believing they could take control. That raises serious questions about the kind of leadership they intend to offer,” he said.
INEC recently suspended recognition of the ADC leadership led by former Senate President David Mark as national chairman and former Interior Minister Rauf Aregbesola as national secretary.
The electoral body’s action followed a Court of Appeal judgment and a legal challenge initiated by Nafiu Bala Gombe over the party’s leadership structure.
Lamido argued that INEC acted within its constitutional mandate, stressing that political actors must avoid creating conditions that invite regulatory intervention.
“INEC operates within the powers granted to it by the constitution to regulate political parties. Politicians must avoid creating situations that give the commission grounds to intervene,” he stated.
The PDP chieftain further criticised the trend of political defections driven by internal disagreements, describing it as morally questionable.
“You leave a party with a strong history and foundation and go to a smaller platform because you think you are powerful enough to take it over,” he said. “That raises serious questions.”
Amid ongoing tensions within the PDP, Lamido reaffirmed his commitment to the party, describing it as his political home.
He defended his participation in a recent PDP national convention linked to a faction associated with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, insisting that internal challenges should not lead to abandonment.
“If my house is leaking, I should repair it rather than abandon it for a smaller one,” he said.
Lamido also expressed confidence in the PDP’s readiness for future elections, stating that the party remains determined to contest all elective positions, from state assemblies to the presidency, in the next general elections.
He clarified ongoing debates within the party regarding leadership figures, noting that while some members consider Wike a national leader, such views remain subjective.
He added that neither he nor former Senate President Bukola Saraki referred to Wike as their political leader during the convention.