The Power Struggle Splits Open
Nigeria’s opposition party is facing renewed turmoil as the Sule Lamido PDP crisis deepened on Sunday, with the former Jigawa State governor accusing PDP governors of blocking his bid to become national chairman. Lamido said the governors considered him “too independent” to control.
FACTS & QUOTES — Claims and Counterclaims
Speaking to BBC Hausa, Lamido alleged that Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed told him:
“If we make you chairman, we can’t influence you.”
He insisted that the PDP’s history “cannot be controlled by one person” and criticised the denial of his nomination form.
But Umar Sani, aide to PDP National Chairman Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, countered that Lamido’s narrative was misleading.
Sani said:
“No court barred the PDP from holding its convention. Lamido’s claims are inaccurate.”
He added that an Ibadan court explicitly authorised the party’s convention and confirmed the legitimacy of current national officers.
Political analyst Muktar Abdullahi told IDNN the confrontation is “a dangerous fracture” before 2027.
POLITICAL CONTEXT BEHIND THE PDP POWER STRUGGLE
The PDP has been grappling with legitimacy battles, factional conflicts, and unresolved post-primary grievances since 2022.
Lamido’s accusations revive old tensions between founding elders and newer governor-led structures.
The party is under pressure to stabilise as it positions itself for the 2027 presidential cycle. Analysts say the optics of disunity could weaken opposition cohesion.
IMPACT ON PDP’S 2027 STRATEGY
The crisis may complicate alliance building, candidate negotiations, and fundraising.
Observers warn that prolonged litigation—if Lamido returns to court—could derail reconciliation efforts.
If unresolved, the confrontation risks fracturing the North-West bloc, historically one of PDP’s strongest bases.
FORWARD-LOOKING CLOSE
Calls have intensified for former President Olusegun Obasanjo and other senior elders to mediate. Whether Lamido reconciles with the governors—or escalates legally—may determine the PDP’s national relevance in 2027.