News, Politics

Lamido Urges PDP Members to Support Wike-Backed Caretaker Committee Amid Party Crisis

Published by Samuel Ayomide on March 16th, 2026.

Former governor of Jigawa State and founding member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Sule Lamido, has called on party members to unite behind a caretaker committee reportedly backed by Nyesom Wike, urging reconciliation to prevent the opposition party’s internal crisis from worsening.

Lamido made the appeal while speaking with journalists during a Ramadan Iftar gathering with PDP leaders and members in his hometown of Bamaina. He stressed that the party must prioritise unity and stability rather than prolong disputes that could weaken its political relevance.

According to him, Wike acted strategically during a period when the party faced a leadership vacuum following the expiration of the tenure of the PDP’s National Working Committee (NWC).

“Wike is a very shrewd politician. He saw the situation clearly and moved quickly to establish a caretaker committee. By the time the tenure of the existing leadership elapsed, that was the only structure in place,” Lamido said.

The former governor acknowledged that some party members may disagree with Wike’s political style or decisions, but insisted that the survival of the party depends on dialogue, compromise and collective responsibility.

“Even if some of us may not like him or have political differences with him, we must still invite him in the spirit of unity, brotherhood and PDP sisterhood. The priority now is reconciliation and moving the party forward,” he added.

Lamido also expressed concern about persistent internal disputes within the PDP, noting that the party has experienced a wave of defections and factional disagreements in recent years. He warned that unresolved leadership battles could undermine the party’s ability to prepare effectively for upcoming elections.

The veteran politician further pointed out that Nigeria’s electoral timetable leaves little room for prolonged internal conflicts within political parties, stressing that delays in resolving leadership issues could affect critical processes such as candidate nominations.

Reflecting on the significance of the Ramadan, Lamido said the period offers an opportunity for reflection, forgiveness and reconciliation among party members.

He emphasised that the PDP belongs to all its members and should not be treated as the property of any individual or faction.

“Our duty now is to protect the heritage of the PDP and ensure the party remains strong enough to serve Nigerians,” he said.

Political analysts say Lamido’s remarks come amid ongoing tensions within the PDP, as leaders continue to debate the party’s direction and leadership structure ahead of future electoral contests. Nigerian media outlets including The Punchand Daily Trust have reported growing calls from party elders urging reconciliation to stabilise the opposition party.