A FORMER governor of Jigawa State, Sule Lamido, has issued a 10-day ultimatum to the Peoples Democratic Party to resolve its ongoing internal crisis, calling for the cancellation of the recent national convention in Ibadan, Oyo State and the appointment of a caretaker committee to run the party.
News Point Nigeria reports that Lamido called on the Turaki Taminu-led National Working Committee of the party, which emerged from the Ibadan convention, to step aside for a caretaker committee to take charge of the party.
Lamido made the call on Thursday while addressing hundreds of his supporters—including former local government chairmen, ex-commissioners, and other political appointees—who visited him at his Sharada office in Kano to show solidarity.
Expressing deep concern over the lingering turmoil within the party, Lamido said long-standing stakeholders like himself have been sidelined by “new forces” in the PDP.
“The current turmoil in the party is partly linked to efforts to undermine my political relevance,” Lamido said. “We must be patient, but if the issue is not resolved within 10 days, we will decide on the next course of action.”
He emphasised that his legal actions are not an attempt to force himself into party leadership but are meant to protect the PDP’s legacy and defend his fundamental rights, which he said have been violated.
Lamido reiterated that Umar Damagum and Samuel Anyanwu remain the legitimate leaders of the party until their tenure ends on December 8, 2025.
He warned that continuing without clear leadership structures could jeopardise the prospects of aspirants, current officeholders, and those planning to seek reelection.
“I am advocating for a caretaker committee,” Lamido said. “I call on Wike, Damagum, and others to reconcile and support the formation of a unified caretaker body.”
The former governor urged PDP leaders to convene a joint meeting to honestly address the party’s challenges and restore it to its rightful place in national politics.
He also appealed to his supporters to remain calm and patient until December 8 to see how events unfold.
The PDP crisis had recently deepened after the November 14 and 15 national convention held in Ibadan amid conflicting court orders.
Two courts in Abuja had restrained the party from going ahead with the convention, but an Ibadan court ordered that the convention should hold.
The days after saw a faction loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, clashing with the faction loyal to the Bauchi and Oyo states governors, Bala Muhammed and Seyi Makinde, over control of the party’s national secretariat in Abuja.
The violence led to the sealing of the PDP headquarters, known as Wadata Plaza, in Abuja.