By Mika’il Tsoho, Dutse
The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Jigawa State has firmly rejected allegations that former Governor Sule Lamido acted rebelliously against the party.
In a statement issued in Dutse, the state capital, the group described the claims as baseless and malicious.
“Sule Lamido has never been a rebel against his party (PDP) since the return of democracy in Nigeria,” read the statement, signed by Muhammad Mago on behalf of concerned PDP members in Jigawa State.
The statement was a response to an article alleging that Lamido had been part of a rebellion against the PDP.
“Ordinarily, we would not have bothered to respond to a sponsored write-up entitled ‘You (Lamido) Were Part of a Rebellion Against PDP’ aimed at attacking Dr Sule Lamido,” the group stated.
The statement further condemned the report as a “mischievous fabrication,” emphasizing its intent to tarnish Lamido’s reputation.
“This report misrepresents facts. It is so outrageous and clearly mischievous, aimed at portraying Dr. Lamido, a revered political figure, in a bad light, and tarnishing his hard-earned reputation in politics, built over five decades of active service,” it added.
The group accused the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, of orchestrating the smear campaign.
According to the statement, Wike allegedly employed questionable elements operating under the guise of a ghost group, the Northern Youth Movement (NYM), to defame Lamido.
“We strongly suspect the underhand of the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, who seems desperate to cause political crises within the ranks of the PDP, the party that brought him to prominence but which he now works tirelessly to undermine,” Mago alleged.
The statement described Wike as a “selfish and power-hungry politician” who used and betrayed his colleagues to further his personal ambitions.
“Wike’s deceitful nature harmed the PDP during the 2023 general elections. He betrayed the party’s presidential candidate for his selfish interest and is now attempting to destabilise the Rivers State Government led by Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his successor, because the governor resisted his undue influence,” it said.
The group contrasted Wike’s actions with Lamido’s political legacy.
“Unlike Wike, Dr. Lamido is a consistent and loyal stakeholder in the PDP. He has never betrayed the party nor worked against its success. Since 1999, he has held key positions, including serving as Minister of Foreign Affairs under President Olusegun Obasanjo and as Executive Governor of Jigawa State, long before Wike’s rise to prominence,” the statement noted.
The group added that Lamido’s contributions to the PDP’s success are well-documented, citing his instrumental role in the election of President Olusegun Obasanjo in 1999 and his support for President Goodluck Jonathan during a political transition.
“In contrast to Wike’s divisive approach, Dr. Lamido remains a true nationalist, a political icon, and a founding member of the PDP. He has always stood firm for the party’s success, like a rock,” the group concluded.
The statement underscored that Dr. Lamido’s legacy is one of loyalty and consistency, in stark contrast to Wike’s alleged opportunism and disregard for the party that elevated him.
