Politics
2027: PDP Must Be Ready To Form Alliances – Lamido
Former Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido, has urged leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state to prepare to ally with other political parties if the national leadership fails to resolve its deepening crisis.
Lamido said he would lead the PDP in Jigawa into such alliances to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 general elections.
The former governor made the declaration on Monday during a meeting held at his office with PDP leaders and supporters from all 27 local government areas of Jigawa State.
Speaking to the gathering, Lamido, who governed the state from 2007 to 2015, briefed party faithful on the leadership tussle that has effectively paralyzed the PDP national headquarters.
He revealed that the party’s national secretariat remained under a police lockdown as rival factions continue to vie for control of the National Working Committee (NWC).
Despite national paralysis, Lamido assured that the PDP leadership in Jigawa State remained “intact” and ready to act upon clear directives.
Before the meeting, he reportedly held discussions with former President Olusegun Obasanjo and former Senate President Bukola Saraki in efforts to explore solutions to the unfolding crisis.
Lamido said the fate of the PDP now rested with governors Bala Muhammed (Bauchi), Seyi Makinde (Oyo), and Ahmadu Fintiri (Adamawa), as well as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
He confirmed that the party’s reconciliation committee, led by Saraki, had consulted with the governors and Wike in a bid to broker peace within the party.
Lamido, a founding member of the PDP since 1998, said a failure of internal reconciliation would make alliances with other opposition parties unavoidable.
He told the gathering, “If reconciliation fails, alliances, not coalitions, will become inevitable.
“You know there is a difference between alliance and coalition; we are going to form alliances with any of the opposition parties.”
He said the outcome of the reconciliation efforts would be communicated to grassroots leaders on Wednesday, after which the party in Jigawa would be shown “the direction to follow.”
No Merger, But Strategic Partnerships
Lamido clarified that the PDP was not considering a merger with other parties but rather a strategic alliance, a move he described as capable of reshaping Nigeria’s political landscape ahead of the 2027 polls.
His comments come amid concerns among his supporters that he might defect, particularly after his inability to purchase the nomination form to contest the National Chairman post, a matter he is currently pursuing in court.
Despite his long association with the party, Lamido criticised PDP governors, lawmakers and leaders, accusing them of neglecting the party’s unity and prioritising personal interests over the collective survival of the party.
The crisis at the heart of the PDP, which has led to high‑profile defections to the APC, remains a power struggle over the position of National Chairman, with internal fractures deepening since the 2023 general elections.
Nasarawa State Governor Abdullahi Sule has claimed that he has been under pressure to contest for the Nasarawa North Senatorial seat in the 2027 election.
The governor made the disclosure during the visit of the state executive members to his country home in Akwanga LGA on Saturday, March 21.
Governor Sule also revealed the identity of those pressuring him to contest in the election, a development that has led to mixed reactions from Nigeria.
Abdullahi Sule, the governor of Nasarawa State, has claimed that he has been under pressure to contest for the Nasarawa North senatorial seat in the 2027 general elections.
The governor made the revelation while hosting the state executive council members, led by Deputy Governor Emmanuel Akabe, at his residence in Gudi Country Home in the Akwanga local government area of the state.
According to Daily Trust, Governor Sule cited pressure from some stakeholders who are asking him to contest, and the need for Nasarawa North to have quality representation.
With all the pressure coming from our leaders, and so I don’t want them to feel offended that I have not been responding, I promise them I will contest when the time comes.”
Governor Sule disclosed that he had been planning to support one person, but had a change of mind when the person joined the call on him to contest for the position.
He went further to explain that he is consulting with stakeholders before he makes the final decision and that traditional rulers and senior politicians from Nasarawa North are also persuading him to contest for the senatorial seat.
However, the governor’s claim has started generating reactions from the people of the state. Below are some of their reactions:
Mohammed Zakariyau said it is the governor’s interest:
“You are interested in going and nothing else because that’s your sole choice, nobody can decide your future for you, and therefore, the issue of ‘under pressure from certain quarters is immaterial here'”.
Cos Mafuyai projected that the governor may not perform if elected as a senator:
“People who are pressured don’t perform once elected, but people who nurse the ambition into elective office and work hard to win do.”
Bem Haanya urged the governor to be wary of betrayal:
“Na so dem mount pressure on Darius Dickson Ishaku o. Groups from Southern Taraba were flocking to Government House, Jalingo, to persuade him to contest for the senatorial seat, yet on election day, they abandoned him.”
Emmanuel Yohanna Allu questioned the governor’s claim:
“If you want to contest, no one is stopping you, but don’t use the word pressure. If I may ask, who is pressuring you?”
Longji Goro Job criticised the governor:
“One or two clowns that they normally give pocket money will tell them, ‘Oga, why not go for senate,’ and they will say under pressure.”
The All Progressives Congress has scheduled Tuesday, March 24, 2026, for the screening of aspirants vying for national offices ahead of its forthcoming national convention.
In a notice released by the party’s Aspirants’ Screening Committee, all candidates who have purchased and submitted their Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms were invited to participate in the exercise.
According to the notice, the screening will take place at the Transcorp Hilton, Abuja, with proceedings expected to begin at 9:00 am.
The committee stressed that attendance is compulsory for all aspirants, who must appear in person with the necessary documents for verification.
The notice, signed by the Secretary of the Screening Committee, Isa Yuguda, was also shared via the party’s official X (formerly Twitter) platform, alongside contact details for further enquiries.
Aspirants were advised to arrive early and ensure they come with all required documentation to facilitate a smooth screening process.
The Nigerian Senate has clarified why it is yet to take a position on the proposed amendment to the Electoral Act seeking to criminalise dual party membership, insisting that the bill must first be formally transmitted from the House of Representatives.
Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Publicity, Yemi Adaramodu, said the upper chamber could not deliberate on a bill that had not been passed to it.
Even if any amendment is coming, we are running a bicameral legislature. So, we can’t comment on it until it gets to us,” he said.
He explained that legislative procedures must be completed at the House of Representatives before the Senate can consider the proposal.
According to Adaramodu, the process requires that any bill must: Pass first and second readings in the House; Undergo public hearing; Be deliberated upon and passed; Be transmitted to the Senate for concurrence.
Speaking to The PUNCH, he stressed that until these steps are completed, the Senate cannot officially engage with the amendment.
The proposed amendment to the Electoral Act 2026 seeks to: Prohibit individuals from belonging to more than one political party; Void any dual party membership; Impose stricter penalties on offenders.
Under the bill: Offenders risk a ₦10 million fine; Or up to two years imprisonment; Or both penalties upon conviction.
It also provides that anyone found to hold dual membership will lose recognition in all political parties until their status is regularised.
The move is aimed at addressing long-standing concerns over: Political defections; Manipulation of party membership registers; Weak enforcement of party discipline.
Although current laws discourage multiple party memberships, enforcement has largely been administrative, with little or no criminal consequences.
For the amendment to become law: It must be passed by both chambers of the National Assembly of Nigeria; It will then be forwarded to the President for assent.
Until then, the Senate maintains it cannot take any official position on the proposal.
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