PDP Dismisses Lamido’s Call For NWC Dissolution

The Peoples Democratic Party on Saturday explained why it would not accept the request made by former Jigawa State governor, Sule Lamido, who asked for the dissolution of the party’s new National Working Committee and the setting up of a temporary leadership. The matter came up after Lamido issued a deadline to the party to fix its internal problems, which began after the national convention held earlier in November in Ibadan, Oyo State.

The party said Lamido’s demand cannot work at the moment because the issues he raised are already tied to court cases that different factions filed at various levels. These cases, including rulings obtained by Lamido’s group and others, are now before the Court of Appeal, and the party stated that it must wait for the court process to run its course before taking any structural decision.

Lamido, who addressed his supporters in Kano earlier in the week, argued that the party should suspend the current NWC and appoint a caretaker committee. He insisted that the acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, and the National Secretary, Samuel Anyanwu, should remain in office until their tenure ends on December 8, 2025. He also said the party must put its house in order before things get worse.

The PDP responded by stating that Lamido had chosen the legal route from the beginning by dragging the party to court shortly after the convention. The leadership noted that it found it strange that he is now calling for internal settlement after securing a judgment through litigation. The party added that other groups also secured court orders, which means everyone involved must now follow the appeal process.

The party explained that its constitution does not contain any plan for a national caretaker committee, so creating one while the case is in court would cause more confusion. It said if Lamido and others had chosen dialogue earlier, the matter might have been solved without going to court.

The party noted that efforts have been made to reach out to aggrieved members across the country. Meetings have been held with governors, elders, and other stakeholders to bring the party together. However, the success of such talks depends on the willingness of those involved to work together and accept peace moves. The party stated that reconciliation cannot work if one side insists that things must be done only in its own way.

The PDP said it remains open to peace, but it will act based on its constitution and the decisions of the court as the cases progress.