A former governor of Nigeria’s Jigawa State, Sule Lamido, has urged the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to rally behind ex-President Goodluck Jonathan as its strongest candidate for the 2027 presidential election. Lamido’s remarks, made during an interview on Nigeria’s Channels TV, come amid calls within the PDP for Jonathan—a former leader who lost re-election in 2015—to rejoin politics despite his silence on the matter.
Lamido argued that Jonathan’s experience and national appeal make him unmatched among current southern PDP members. “He is their best bet,” Lamido said. “If the party fields him, Nigerians will support him.” The former governor praised Jonathan as a leader skilled in governance and collaboration, emphasizing his readiness to lead again. “I do not see a better alternative within the PDP if he decides to return,” he added, noting the party’s potential to reclaim power by nominating a candidate from Nigeria’s southern region.
The proposal aligns with the PDP’s historical practice of rotating presidential candidacy between northern and southern regions—a system partly blamed for internal divisions. Jonathan, who governed from 2010 to 2015, has remained politically reserved since leaving office but retains symbolic influence as Nigeria’s first leader from the southern Niger Delta.
Lamido’s comments coincide with a push to address infighting within the PDP. He called for the expulsion of high-profile members—including Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike and ex-governors Samuel Ortom (Benue) and Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia)—accusing them of undermining the party during the contentious 2023 elections. “Those who openly campaigned against the PDP and plan to support the ruling APC in 2027 must be removed,” he stated, criticizing a persistent “culture of impunity” where dissenters face no consequences.
His critique referenced post-2022 primary disputes that splintered the party, with aggrieved members allegedly sabotaging its electoral prospects. “Some prioritised personal ambitions over party unity, leading to internal sabotage,” Lamido said, advocating stricter discipline to rebuild trust. The PDP has yet to respond publicly to his demands, but the remarks spotlight ongoing tensions ahead of the next election cycle.
Political analysts suggest Lamido’s endorsement of Jonathan reflects broader strategizing to unify the PDP, which has struggled to regain momentum since its 2015 defeat. While Jonathan’s return remains uncertain, the debate underscores the party’s search for a candidate capable of bridging regional divides and countering the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). For now, the PDP’s path to relevance hinges on reconciling internal factions while navigating Nigeria’s complex electoral landscape.
