PDP Crisis Started Among Northern Leaders, Obasanjo Attempted A Third Term - Lamido Opens Up

Former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sule Lamido, has linked the ongoing challenges facing his party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), to the fallout from divisions among northern leaders in 2007.

Lamido, who has been a long-standing member of the PDP since its inception, was asked in a recent interview why he remained loyal to the party without shifting allegiances despite the ongoing crisis within the umbrella camp.

Explaining the reason for his stand and perspective on the present status of the PDP, the former Governor of Jigawa State said: “Understanding the essence of the PDP may pose a challenge for individuals under the age of 30. We are discussing a timeline that spans from 1998 to the present—almost 30 years. Those who were around 10 years old during that period would now be in their early 30s.

“Thus, articulating the philosophy of the PDP is intricate, underscoring the importance of historical context. One cannot evaluate the current state of the party without considering its origins and evolution. In 1998, Nigeria was grappling with a profound crisis of trust and cohesion. As a federation, we had lost faith in one another, leading to significant divisions within the country.

“This schism was primarily a consequence of the annulment of the June 12 election, which was recognized as the most fair and transparent election in Nigeria’s history. It illustrated that Nigerians could rally around a common vision: the candidate, Abiola, hailed from the south, while his running mate, Baba Gana Kingibe, was from the north—both being Muslims. This unprecedented unity was a significant milestone for Nigeria.

“Abiola won the election fairly, and Nigerians felt a sense of cohesion across regions and religions. Then, suddenly, the election was annulled. People started questioning why—was it because the Yoruba candidate won? Interestingly, many Yoruba people didn’t initially support Abiola. They felt a certain resentment toward him, likely because Abiola was a self-made man who had once opposed Chief Obafemi Awolowo under the NPN. So, despite winning, some in the Yoruba community didn’t necessarily see him as their representative.

“Once the election was annulled, certain groups, like Afenifere and other Yoruba elders who hadn’t actively supported June 12, began to claim the victory as part of a ‘Yoruba agenda.’ But in reality, Abiola’s victory was about uniting Nigerians, not about regional interests. This misappropriation laid part of the groundwork for the issues we see today.

“When the PDP was formed, we reflected on how to restore Nigerians’ trust, which had been shattered by the June 12 crisis. At that time, the focus wasn’t on infrastructure or economic policies; it was about rebuilding Nigeria as a united nation, a place where people could believe in one another again.”

When Asked whether the PDP succeeded in restoring that trust, Lamido said: “When we established the PDP, we decided that the first order of business was to address the crisis of confidence caused by June 12. Normally, political offices aren’t assigned to specific regions; democracy is meant to be led by the majority of votes. But we realized we needed to set aside strict democratic principles temporarily to heal our wounds. So, we decided to locate the presidency in the South West as a symbolic gesture to appease the Yoruba people for the pain caused by June 12.”

“At that time, Baba (Olusegun Obasanjo) was in prison, but we saw him as a figure who transcended regional interests. Among the Yoruba leaders, we had options like Olu Falae, Pa Adesanya, and Bola Ige. However, they were largely seen as tribal leaders. Obasanjo, in contrast, was widely regarded as a nationalist—someone who had fought in the civil war and helped restore democracy. We felt he could symbolise a new, united Nigeria, so he became the face of this reconciliatory effort.