The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chairmen from the 27 Local Government Areas of Jigawa State have expressed their support for the state chairman, Babandi Gumel, and former governor Sule Lamido, amid ongoing leadership rifts within the party at the national level. This move comes after the PDP Board of Trustees suspended Lamido on Friday over allegations of anti-party activities and inflammatory statements.
During a special meeting held at the party’s state secretariat in Dutse on Tuesday, the chairmen reaffirmed their allegiance to the party and its leadership in the state. Sa’adu Barwa, the Chairman of the Dutse Local Government Chapter and Forum Chairman, spoke on behalf of the chairmen, emphasizing their commitment to the party and its leadership. He urged party members to remain calm, united, and focused, stressing that the success of the PDP will depend on collective effort.
The chairmen’s endorsement is seen as a significant boost to Lamido’s standing, following opposition from some factions within the party. Adamu Muhd, the Chairman of Hadejia Local Government Area and Vice Chairman of the forum, described the declaration as a testament to the chairmen’s loyalty to the party. He encouraged other party members to emulate the chairmen by showing loyalty and support to the party and its leadership, emphasizing that unity is critical to the future of the PDP.
Babandi Gumel, the PDP state chairman, expressed appreciation to the chairmen for their support and pledged to continue steering the party towards electoral success in the state. The meeting was attended by prominent PDP stakeholders, including former lawmakers and party leaders, who also expressed support for the party’s leadership.
The development is significant, as it highlights the strong backing of the party’s leadership in Jigawa State, despite the national-level leadership rifts. The chairmen’s declaration demonstrates their commitment to working with the state chairman and national leader to ensure the success of the PDP in Jigawa State. As the party navigates its internal crises, the support of the local government chairmen is expected to play a crucial role in shaping the party’s future in the state.
