Former Jigawa State Governor and prominent Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain, Sule Lamido, has strongly rejected a call by former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, for opposition leaders to join the Social Democratic Party (SDP). El-Rufai, who recently defected from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the SDP, had invited key opposition figures, including Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Rotimi Amaechi, and Rauf Aregbesola, to follow him into the new political party. However, Lamido has dismissed the suggestion as an insult, particularly given the role the PDP played in El-Rufai’s political journey.
In a BBC Hausa interview, El-Rufai extended an invitation to opposition figures to join him in the SDP, a move that has sparked considerable debate across Nigeria’s political landscape. While El-Rufai did not directly mention Lamido’s name, his comments were widely interpreted as aimed at key PDP figures who have remained loyal to the party despite the current political climate.
In response, Lamido, who has been a prominent figure in Nigerian politics for many years, expressed his disdain for the suggestion. He insisted that the PDP, the party he helped build, played a critical role in El-Rufai’s rise to political prominence and questioned El-Rufai’s motivations for suggesting such a move.
“The party we formed, the PDP, is the one that gave birth to El-Rufai,” Lamido said in a separate BBC Hausa interview on Sunday. He emphasized that the PDP had played a pivotal role in shaping El-Rufai’s career, and suggested that his former party member was acting out of self-interest rather than any genuine concern for Nigerian politics.
Lamido further stated that El-Rufai’s suggestion that prominent figures from the PDP should abandon the party and join the SDP was an “insult” to both the party and its leaders. He dismissed the idea of leaving the PDP, declaring that such a move was far from being an option for him and other prominent party members.
“You’re not enough to make us leave the PDP,” Lamido responded firmly. The former governor’s comments reflected his deep loyalty to the PDP, which he believes remains the foundation for a better and more inclusive Nigerian democracy.
Lamido also raised questions about the timing and the underlying reasons for El-Rufai’s decision to defect from the APC to the SDP. He pointed out the contradictions in El-Rufai’s recent statements, particularly his remarks regarding the state of Nigerian politics.
“He once said that there are no adults in Nigeria’s politics, but now he is calling on us to join him in the SDP,” Lamido noted. He seemed to suggest that El-Rufai’s sudden shift in political allegiance raised doubts about his credibility and motives.
Furthermore, Lamido questioned El-Rufai’s claim that he had informed President Muhammadu Buhari about his decision to leave the APC. Lamido seemed to find it ironic that El-Rufai, who had previously portrayed himself as someone outside the traditional political system, was now positioning himself as a leader of Nigerian politics.
“If I was going to leave the PDP, I would have done so in 2014 when the APC was formed,” Lamido added, referencing the period when many prominent figures left the PDP to join the APC. His comments suggested that if he had been dissatisfied with the PDP, he would have acted earlier rather than waiting for such an opportune moment.
In addition to his dismissal of El-Rufai’s call to join the SDP, Lamido also criticized the former Kaduna governor’s leadership style. He expressed concern that El-Rufai’s approach to governance, which has often been described as fiery and aggressive, lacked the qualities necessary for effective and long-term leadership.
“Leadership is done with patience and vision, and doing things for the peace of the followers and the country as a whole,” Lamido said, stressing that leadership should focus on the well-being of citizens, not on anger or selfish ambition.
This remark appeared to be a subtle critique of El-Rufai’s often combative and controversial tenure as governor of Kaduna State, where his policies and rhetoric have frequently sparked backlash from various groups and political opponents.
Lamido suggested that El-Rufai’s anger towards certain political figures and his inclination to act out of frustration could be detrimental to the progress of Nigeria’s democracy. Instead, Lamido called for a more patriotic approach to leadership, one that prioritizes the nation’s unity and long-term stability over personal grievances.
“What should be done is to put patriotism first, instead of showing anger towards someone,” Lamido advised. His call for unity and cooperation echoed the sentiments of many who feel that Nigerian politics has become too divisive and personal in recent years.
Lamido also took the opportunity to address the future of the PDP, which has faced significant challenges since its defeat in the 2015 presidential election. Despite the party’s struggles, Lamido expressed confidence that the PDP would continue to rebuild its strength and play a central role in Nigerian politics.
“The PDP has been working to rebuild its strength after losing the 2015 presidential election,” he said, acknowledging the party’s efforts to regain its footing. His comments suggested that the PDP is focused on re-establishing itself as a viable political force, despite the ongoing challenges posed by the ruling APC.
The former governor’s loyalty to the PDP was evident in his comments, and he signaled that he would continue to be an active participant in the party’s recovery and rejuvenation.
The political divide between Lamido and El-Rufai reflects a larger tension within Nigerian politics, with key figures in the opposition party distancing themselves from those who are seen as aligning with the current ruling party. While El-Rufai’s defection to the SDP may be seen by some as a fresh political move, Lamido’s staunch defense of the PDP underscores the ongoing power struggle between the two parties.
As Nigeria prepares for future elections and political shifts, the rivalry between the APC and PDP, as well as the emergence of new political movements like the SDP, will continue to shape the political landscape.
For now, Lamido’s rejection of El-Rufai’s call to join the SDP highlights the enduring loyalty and strategic vision of the PDP, even as it faces internal and external challenges in the ever-changing world of Nigerian politics. The next few months will likely reveal whether El-Rufai’s move to the SDP will gain traction, or if the PDP can successfully rebuild and reclaim its position as a dominant political force in Nigeria.
