Former Jigawa State Governor and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain, Alhaji Sule Lamido, has offered clarity on his recent endorsement of the African Democratic Congress (ADC)-led political coalition, stating that while he supports the coalition’s principles, he remains firmly rooted in the PDP.
Speaking in Kano during a political dialogue hosted by the Arewa Leadership Forum, Lamido said his support for the ADC’s coalition stems from a shared national vision to restore integrity, inclusiveness, and credibility to Nigeria’s democracy — values he believes transcend party lines.
“I did not leave the PDP. I will not leave the PDP. But I support any coalition that seeks to rescue Nigeria from political decay,” Lamido told journalists after the forum. “My support for the ADC initiative is not about party realignment; it’s about conscience and country.”
The ADC recently unveiled a broad-based coalition of parties and civil society organizations aimed at building a united political front ahead of the 2027 general elections. The coalition seeks to offer an alternative to what it describes as the “stagnation of the dominant parties,” drawing support from progressives across the political spectrum.
Lamido’s public alignment with the coalition sparked speculation that the former foreign affairs minister was preparing to defect. However, he dismissed such assumptions as “media misinterpretation,” reiterating his lifelong commitment to the PDP.
“I helped build the PDP from the ground up,” Lamido said. “My political identity is tied to its ideology of social justice and national unity. But if another platform is championing similar values, why shouldn’t I support it in spirit?”
He emphasized the importance of cross-party cooperation in an era where Nigeria’s democracy faces economic uncertainty, political polarization, and eroding public trust.
Political analysts see Lamido’s position as a strategic attempt to unify progressive forces without further fragmenting the opposition.
“Lamido represents an old guard of politicians who still believe in party loyalty, but he’s also pragmatic enough to see the need for ideological convergence,” said Dr. Habiba Sani, a political scientist at Bayero University, Kano. “His support for the ADC coalition is a message to the PDP — reform or risk irrelevance.”
Within the PDP, reactions to Lamido’s remarks have been mixed. While some party loyalists view his statement as a call for introspection, others fear it could embolden internal dissent.
Still, Lamido insists that his actions are driven by patriotism, not ambition.
“We need leaders who will rise above labels, above ego, and above party slogans to truly serve the Nigerian people,” he said. “If we must save this country, then unity of purpose — not uniformity of platform — is what matters most.”
As political realignments begin to take shape ahead of 2027, Lamido’s stand may signal a broader shift among elder statesmen toward a more collaborative and issue-based politics.
