Former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido has called on leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to urgently embrace reconciliation and set up a caretaker committee to address the deepening crisis threatening the party's viability ahead of the 2027 elections.
Lamido, a central figure in the party's current leadership crisis, had earlier secured a court order halting the PDP's national convention held on 15 and 16 November in Ibadan.
The ruling restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from supervising or recognising any convention conducted without including him as a valid contestant.
The court held that Lamido was denied a level playing field after being prevented from obtaining nomination forms to contest for National Chairman, contrary to the party's constitution and internal guidelines.
Despite the order, the PDP proceeded with the convention and elected Tanimu Turaki (SAN) as National Chairman alongside other members of a new National Working Committee (NWC), effectively replacing the Umar Damagum-led team.
However, tensions escalated following the convention between factions loyal to Turaki and FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, culminating in a violent clash at the party's National Secretariat in Abuja on November 18. Security operatives sealed off the premises the next day, and it has remained closed since November 19.
Speaking on Thursday when he received a delegation of former local government chairmen from Jigawa State, who visited to express concern over ongoing divisions and his treatment ahead of the disputed convention, Lamido warned that the future of party loyalists was at stake.
"Those who still want to contest elections, what is their fate? Some of those fighting have nothing to lose because they are not contesting again," he said.
He stressed the need for urgent internal reforms and proposed a neutral caretaker committee to stabilise the party and restore confidence.
"We can iron things out before it's too late. A caretaker committee must be set up to check these issues and bring the party back intact. It will always be in the interest of the party," he said.
His call mirrors an earlier appeal by former Senate President Bukola Saraki, who, on the eve of the convention, urged that the exercise be suspended and replaced with a caretaker committee. The Wike-led faction is also said to be open to such an arrangement, reportedly pushing to produce the committee's secretary.
However, the Governors Seyi Makinde and Bala Mohammed-led bloc, which produced Turaki as national chairman, rejected the proposal, arguing that it would not address the fundamental issues confronting the party since after the 2023 presidential election. According to the camp, setting up a caretaker committee would "merely change the faces involved without altering the underlying agenda."
Lamido, however, appealed for forgiveness among aggrieved members irrespective of past grievances.
"We insulted each other and did all sorts of things. Because of what? We are in the same party. Let's forgive each other and settle these issues for the sake of the PDP," he urged.
Expressing readiness for intense reconciliation efforts, he added:
"If it means we, the leaders, should come together in one room, exchange words, even fight and later reconcile, then so be it. After the storm comes the rain, then calm."
Lamido confirmed receipt of the delegation's letter and appealed for patience pending developments.
"Be patient once more. Let's see what happens between now and 9 December," he said, adding that genuine leaders must consider the welfare of followers.
"If we truly value our followers, we will find a way out. If we fail, then we find another way too."
Taking a swipe at some governors perceived to be indifferent to the crisis, he said: "Bala, Fintiri and Makinde have nothing to lose. If things persist, then we find our way."
Former LG chairmen demand new political direction
Earlier, the Jigawa PDP Forum of Former Local Government Chairmen openly criticised the party's handling of internal disputes, urging Lamido to consider leading them to an alternative political platform ahead of 2027.
In a communique, the group said persistent internal divisions and "disgraceful incidents" culminating in the fracas at the Wadata Plaza headquarters had rendered the PDP increasingly unstable at the national level.
They condemned Lamido's treatment during the build-up to the convention, alleging he was denied a fair chance to contest.
"We condemn how the leadership of the party has handled His Excellency Sule Lamido, without regard to his honour," the communiqué stated.
Referring to Lamido as their mentor, they said they were entrusting him to explore a viable political platform that would enable them to pursue their political aspirations.
They reaffirmed confidence in his leadership, referencing his longstanding record, from his role in the People's Redemption Party (PRP) youth wing, to his election to the House of Representatives in 1979, and later, his position as SDP National Secretary during the 1993 presidential election.
The group also noted that Lamido is the one of the very few surviving members of the G9 and G18 factions who has remained within the PDP through multiple political realignments, including the rise of Muhammadu Buhari's movement in the North.
They urged the current Jigawa PDP leadership to urgently present their resolution directly to Lamido and pledged to align politically with him wherever he moves.
The communiqué was signed by 17 former local government chairmen across the state.
Anywanwu counters Arapaja's letter to Federal High Court CJ
In a related development, the faction of the PDP loyal to FCT Minister Nyesom Wike has countered a letter written to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho, by the party's newly elected National Secretary, Taofeek Arapaja.
Arapaja wrote to Justice Tsoho urging him not to assign future cases involving the PDP to three judges -- Justices James Omotosho, Peter Lifu and Joyce Abdulmalik -- citing concern over previous rulings perceived to have disadvantaged the party.
"Given the current challenges facing the party, there is a high likelihood of cases being filed for or against the party. We plead that no cases henceforth be assigned to any of these three judges, since justice is rooted in trust and integrity," Arapaja stated, while clarifying that the party had no doubt in the judiciary's overall integrity.
However, the Wike-backed faction, in a counter-letter signed by Senator Samuel Anyanwu, dismissed Arapaja's correspondence, arguing he was not authorised to speak on the party's behalf.
The letter, which referenced the faction led by Acting National Chairman Mohammed Abdulrahman, argued that only the Turaki-led NWC recognises Arapaja, whose authority they do not accept.
"It amounts to disparaging the collective integrity of the judiciary for Arapaja to decide for the court which judge should handle PDP cases, simply because previous rulings ran contrary to their expectations," the Wike camp stated.
It added that issues within the party were centred on upholding its constitution and the Electoral Act, which the Federal High Court had already ruled on.
"Anybody who is against the supremacy of the law and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is an enemy to democracy. Arapaja can be described as such for maligning the justices of the Federal High Court," the statement said.