Sule Lamido, PDP and emergence of Atiku Abubakar
By SULE Lamido is among the nine people (G9) who formed the PDP in 1998. Others were: Sen. lorchia Ayu, Prof. Jerry Gana, late Chief Alex. Ekwueme, late Mallam Adamu Ciroma, late Chief Solomon Lar, late Chief Bola Ige, late Sen. Ella, and late Alhaji Abubakar Rimi. They confronted former Head of State, late Gen. Sani Abacha, on the need to quit the office and allow democracy to prosper Lamido and Rimi were picked and locked up in DSS cells, Rimi in Ilorin and Lamido in Maiduguri respectively. They were only released after the sudden demise of Abacha. Lamido and Ayu are the lone PDP founding fathers still on the landscape in PDP. Lamido’s four decades of experience in the rough terrain of Nigerian politics is being brought to bear in this election circle. He is so often in the news for a combination of reasons including his imposing physical presence, his simple style of doing things, his solid records of commitment, loyalty, achievements, consistency and sacrifice to PDP since its creation in 1999 to date.
Lamido is one of the most experienced politicians in Nigeria, and is arguably the most successful governor in Nigeria since 1999 to date. He was a former parliament (REP) and a former diplomat (minister). He has made a lot of sacrifices for this country. His contributions have re-united and re-awakened Nigeria and if politics and PDP are concern, Lamido is one person you cannot push away. Lamido always says his mind, which in all cases aligns with the interests of the common man. He never succumbs to sentiments. He is not the fair-weather type as so many politicians are; rather, he stands rooted in principle and to progressive politics. In all of this, he brings rich personal experience to bear in all he does. He deployed his unmatched energy and political skills in campaigning for PDP candidates from the top to the bottom from 1999 to date. He has a history of radically confronting the military junta of Abacha for the sake of restoring democracy to Nigeria and he was sent to jail severally, during the PRP and military era.
Lamido was imprisoned for his emancipation of the masses. Some of these things give him an edge and advantage over other compatriots on the corridor of Nigerian politics and the PDP. Even before the return of Alhaji Atiku, Saraki, Kwankwaso and Governor Tambuwal etc to PDP, Lamido being a party man and democrat had been calling Alhaji Atiku, his former colleagues (governors) and other PDP party faithful who left the party for one reason or the other to return home (PDP). If Lamido didn’t mean well for the PDP and the country at large, he would not have openly and consistently called on them to return. Anybody who knows the NEPU/PRP and Santsi school of politics must salute Lamido for being consistent in his ideology, principles and doctrines of fearless, courageous, bold radicalism, telling the truth and saying his mind no matter what. Political analysts and the entire populace are convinced that the political gladiators in the region and across board cannot produce a match for Lamido let alone surpassing his credentials and achievements. And don’t forget that his association with political heavy weights across the globe is a major asset that cannot be matched at least with any person in the region, now and possibly in the next decades to come
The long awaited PDP presidential primary has come and gone with the emergence of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar as its standard-bearer for the 2019 presidential election. Lamido being a party man, nationalist and true democrat would accept the outcome of any political development because it has been in him for over four decades. He said his aspiration was not a do or die affair and that if the presidential primary was conducted in a very democratic, free, fair and credible manner, he was ready to support anyone who emerged as the candidate of his great party for victory in 2019, God willing.
Since leadership is an attribute of God, leadership is the will of God; leadership is the choice of God. Lamido is more concerned with a peaceful, progressive and a united Nigeria than his personal interest. As he supported Chief Obasanjo in 1999 and 2003, the late Yar’adua in 2007 and Jonathan in 2011 and 2015, he will continue to support anybody who wears the crown and work for PDP in many years to come if he is alive In-Sha-Allah because he believes in God and destiny. May God Almighty make it easy for us.
- Adamu writes in from Kafin-Hausa, Jigawa State
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