Samuel Omang
Former Jigawa State Governor and founding member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Sule Lamido, has officially declared his intention to contest for the party’s top job as National Chairman, setting the stage for what could become one of the most decisive leadership battles in the PDP’s recent history.
Lamido made the announcement on Monday through a statement on his verified Facebook page, where he disclosed plans to visit the PDP’s national secretariat, Wadata Plaza in Abuja, to purchase his nomination form.
“By the grace of God, I shall today, Monday, 27th October 2025, by 11 a.m., be at Wadata Plaza, the National Headquarters of our great party, the Peoples Democratic Party, to purchase the nomination form to run for the office of National Chairman,” he wrote.
The former Minister of Foreign Affairs described his aspiration as a call to service, noting that his ambition was rooted in a desire to rebuild confidence within the party, restore its internal cohesion, and return it to its founding ideals.
Lamido stated, “My commitment to democracy and resolve to restore our dear party to its old glory is unstoppable. The PDP remains Nigeria’s most democratic political institution, and I am determined to lead it back to unity and national relevance.”
A strong voice in Nigeria’s political landscape for over four decades, Lamido is widely respected for his outspokenness and consistent defense of internal democracy. His declaration comes at a time when the PDP faces mounting pressure to reinvent itself after years of internal wrangling, leadership instability, and electoral setbacks.
The party, which governed Nigeria from 1999 to 2015, has been struggling to find firm footing in opposition since its defeat by the All Progressives Congress (APC). Its forthcoming national convention—expected to produce new leaders ahead of the 2027 general elections—is being viewed as a defining moment for the PDP’s future direction.
Political observers see Lamido’s entrance into the race as a rallying signal to party loyalists who yearn for stability and ideological renewal. His long experience as governor, diplomat, and elder statesman positions him as a unifying figure capable of bridging the widening gap between the party’s old guard and its younger reformist wing.
Analysts believe that Lamido’s message of “restoration and unity” could resonate with delegates seeking a return to the PDP’s core values of inclusion, equity, and transparency. However, the contest for the national chairmanship is expected to be intense, with other influential figures within the party reportedly making final consultations before declaring their own ambitions.
For Lamido, who once served as Nigeria’s Foreign Affairs Minister under President Olusegun Obasanjo and later governed Jigawa State for eight years, the race for the PDP chairmanship is not just about politics—it is about legacy. “The PDP must be rebuilt as a home for all Nigerians, not a coalition of factions,” he was quoted as saying by close associates on Monday.
As preparations for the national convention gather momentum, all eyes are now on Wadata Plaza, where the former governor is expected to formally submit his nomination form and unveil his campaign team. His declaration has already stirred renewed optimism among his supporters, who see in him a potential catalyst for the party’s long-awaited rebirth.