Former Jigawa State Governor and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain, Alhaji Sule Lamido, has charged the party’s 40-member campaign council to mobilise support across the state and work within the law to unseat the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 general elections.
Lamido gave the directive while inaugurating the council at the PDP state headquarters in Dutse, where he urged members to base their campaigns on issues, constructive criticism and the need for good governance rather than personal attacks.
The former governor, who served as Minister of Foreign Affairs from 1999 to 2003, warned Nigerians against repeating what he described as the mistake of voting the PDP out of power in previous elections. He urged them to assess the performance of past and present administrations before making their choices in 2027.
“I believe Nigerians have learnt from their mistakes. They must critically examine the achievements of previous administrations under the PDP and compare them with those of the current government before deciding who should lead them,” he said.
Lamido accused APC-led governments of failing to meet Nigerians’ expectations, alleging that their policies had worsened economic hardship and undermined the welfare of ordinary citizens.
He said Jigawa State and the country needed experienced and competent leadership to address challenges in healthcare, education and other critical sectors.
“Today, Jigawa is facing serious challenges in accessing quality healthcare. Hospitals lack adequate medical services and essential drugs, while the education sector continues to deteriorate,” he alleged.
The PDP chieftain expressed confidence that the party would regain power in 2027, arguing that the APC’s alleged failures had created an opportunity for the opposition to win back voters’ confidence.
According to him, the ruling party had made the PDP’s task easier through what he described as poor governance, anti-poor policies and a lack of clear direction at different levels of government.
Lamido also faulted the circumstances surrounding the APC’s emergence as the ruling party, arguing that its leaders were unprepared to manage the country’s affairs effectively.
He blamed what he described as political miscalculations by Nigerians and the influence of self-centred politicians for the PDP’s loss of power, adding that some beneficiaries of the party had later defected in pursuit of personal interests.
The former governor further expressed concern over alleged corruption under the APC administration, citing high-profile corruption cases involving former public office holders, including a former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, a former Minister of Justice and a former Accountant-General of the Federation.
He maintained that the PDP remained a major force in Nigeria’s political history, describing it as one of the country’s enduring political parties since the return to democratic rule in 1999.
“Since 1999, almost all political parties have collapsed, leaving the PDP as one of the surviving political parties. It has seen yesterday and today and, by the grace of God, it will see tomorrow,” he said.
Lamido added that many politicians currently serving in the APC and other political parties had begun their political careers in the PDP.
“Whether you belong to the APC, ADC, NDC or any other political party, the PDP remains your political mother because many of today’s political leaders began their political careers under the party,” he said.
He assured supporters that the PDP was prepared to campaign for its candidates at all levels, including the presidency, the Senate, the House of Representatives and the Jigawa State House of Assembly.
Lamido pledged that the party would conduct peaceful campaigns without insults, intimidation or personal attacks, stressing that its objective was to restore good governance and public confidence in leadership.
He also urged party members to take advantage of the prevailing political climate to strengthen the PDP’s grassroots structures and reconnect with voters across the state.
In his remarks, the Jigawa State PDP chairman, Professor Babandi Ibrahim Gumel, said the inauguration of the campaign council marked a significant step in the party’s preparations for the 2027 elections.
Gumel said the party would intensify grassroots mobilisation and take its campaign to communities across the state to seek the support and votes of the electorate.
He stressed that direct engagement with voters would remain central to the party’s strategy, while reaffirming its commitment to peaceful political activities and harmonious coexistence.
The chairman urged party members and supporters to conduct themselves responsibly and avoid actions capable of triggering political violence or undermining peace.
He called on the people of Jigawa State to support the PDP in 2027, expressing confidence that the party’s return to power would improve democratic governance and public welfare.
Gumel also dismissed reports of three-million-man rallies organised by the APC in Dutse, Hadejia and Gumel, describing the gatherings as political deception and insisting that they did not necessarily reflect genuine popular support.
The inauguration was attended by party stakeholders, supporters and other members, who expressed their commitment to the PDP’s renewed mobilisation ahead of the 2027 general elections.
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