The Jigawa State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has issued a strong condemnation of the suspension of former Governor Sule Lamido from the party's Board of Trustees (BoT). The state executive described the action as a shocking and counterproductive move that threatens party unity.
An Unjust and Vindictive Action
In a statement released on 20 December 2025 and signed by the State Chairman, Dr. Babandi Ibrahim Gumel, the party labeled Lamido's suspension as "unjust, vindictive, and counterproductive." The suspension is reportedly connected to allegations that the former governor attended meetings considered a threat to party cohesion.
The Jigawa PDP firmly defended Lamido's actions, stating they were within his legal and constitutional rights. The controversy stems from Lamido being denied a nomination form to contest for the PDP National Chairmanship, a decision he challenged in court.
A Founding Member's Legal Battle
The party's statement highlighted that Sule Lamido, CON, a founding member of the PDP, sought judicial redress after being blocked from the chairmanship race. Consequently, the Federal High Court in Abuja issued an order restraining the PDP from holding its national convention until Lamido's right to contest was legally determined.
"The suspension of a founding member for exercising his lawful rights undermines internal democracy and contradicts the spirit of reconciliation recently championed by the BoT," the statement read. The chapter warned that punishing loyalty in this manner sends a dangerous signal to rank-and-file members.
Risks and Calls for Reversal
The Jigawa PDP expressed deep concern that the suspension risks deepening existing divisions within the opposition party at a critical time when unity is essential to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). They emphasized that such internal strife could lead to further defections and weaken the party's structure.
The state chapter has therefore called on the BoT to immediately revoke the suspension and to publicly affirm the rights of all members to pursue leadership positions without fear of victimization. "The PDP must lead by example, uphold the rule of law, and respect the dignity of its members," the statement concluded.
This development follows recent reports where Lamido, speaking to hundreds of PDP loyalists at his Kano office, indicated he would not hesitate to negotiate the future of his political structure through an alliance with an alternative party, though he ruled out allying with certain coalition members. The meeting, attended by party leaders including Hon. Babandi Ibrahim, underscored the growing internal instability at the national level.
