Former Governor of Jigawa State, Alhaji Sule Lamido has formally announced his intention to contest for the position of National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), promising to restore internal democracy, rebuild public trust and reestablish the opposition party ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Lamido's announcement, made on Sunday in Dutse, Jigawa state, marks the beginning of a competitive race for the PDP's top leadership seat, as the party struggles to recover from internal crises, defections and declining influence since losing power at the national level in 2015.
Speaking to journalists and party supporters, the former governor said his decision to become president was born out of a desire to unite the PDP family and bring it back to the founding ideals of inclusivity, justice and equality. According to him, the party has moved away from the principles that once made it Nigeria's dominant political force, noting that the time has come for experienced leaders to step up and rebuild it from within.
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“I am offering myself to serve because our party is at a critical juncture,” Lamido said. “The PDP must rediscover its soul. We must move away from personal ambitions and sectional interests to rebuild a national movement that speaks for ordinary Nigerians. I believe we can restore the pride of the PDP and reposition it as a credible alternative to the ruling party.”
Lamido, who ruled Jigawa state from 2007 to 2015, is one of the party's founding members and a longtime ally of former President Olusegun Obasanjo. He has been a vocal critic of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), accusing it of failing to deliver on its promises and deepening Nigeria's socio-economic challenges.
His announcement comes amid growing calls for leadership renewal within the PDP following electoral setbacks, internal squabbling and public perception issues. Many stakeholders have blamed weak leadership and factional divisions for the party's decline, and urged a return to the disciplined, issue-based politics that once defined its early years.
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Reacting to Lamido's announcement, some PDP chieftains welcomed his ambition and described him as a leader with “political maturity and ideological clarity” to stabilize the party. However, others expressed concern that his candidature could rekindle old rivalries between senior figures, especially from the North-West, where several party stalwarts are also eyeing the top post.
Political observers say Lamido's entry into the race could significantly reshape the internal power dynamics within the PDP. His long-standing relationships with party seniors, coupled with his reputation as a grassroots organiser, may give him an edge in negotiations with state chapters and influential factions.
The PDP National Executive Committee is expected to announce the date of its alternative convention in the coming months. Until then, Lamido and other candidates will intensify consultations across the country to secure support.
As the race gathers pace, analysts say Lamido's bid symbolizes more than personal ambition; It represents a call for revival within Nigeria's oldest surviving political party. It remains to be seen whether that call will unite or divide the PDP.
