The Peoples Democratic Party has dismissed former Jigawa State governor Sule Lamido’s demand for the dissolution of the party’s newly constituted National Working Committee and the installation of a caretaker leadership.
According to the PDP, Lamido’s proposal runs contrary to the provisions of the party’s constitution and cannot be implemented while several internal legal disputes remain before the courts.
Lamido had given the PDP leadership a 10-day ultimatum on Thursday to address the lingering crisis, after challenging the outcome of the party’s mid-November national convention held in Ibadan, Oyo State.
While speaking to supporters at his Sharada office in Kano, he insisted that the NWC should be disbanded immediately and replaced with a national caretaker committee.
He further maintained that Umar Damagum and Samuel Anyanwu remained the authentic acting National Chairman and National Secretary until their current tenure ends on December 8, 2025.
However, the PDP’s National Publicity Secretary elected at the Ibadan convention, Ini Ememobong, said it was ironic that Lamido who chose litigation over the party’s internal dispute-resolution mechanisms was now urging the party to settle the same issues outside the courts.
In an interview with Sunday PUNCH, Ememobong noted that Lamido’s stance ignores the current legal landscape. Multiple factions have obtained different court rulings, all of which are now consolidated at the Court of Appeal.
“Lamido already secured a judgment. The Anyanwu faction also has its own judgment. Others still have pending cases at the High Court. With these existing court orders, his suggestion is simply not feasible,” he explained.
Ememobong further stated that the PDP constitution makes no provision for any national caretaker committee, and the party cannot create one while the appellate court is reviewing appeals already filed.
He added that earlier internal dialogue could have prevented the situation from escalating into litigation.
Speaking on reconciliation efforts, Ememobong said Lamido is aware that various party stakeholders have made attempts to reach out to him and other aggrieved leaders. He stressed that peace moves can only work if all parties show genuine willingness to engage.
“The elders, the Board of Trustees, and the NWC have demonstrated readiness for reconciliation. But both sides must be willing. It cannot be about one person’s terms alone,” he said.
He also revealed that PDP governors, the national chairman, and NWC members have been meeting aggrieved stakeholders across the country to rebuild unity, but acceptance of these efforts ultimately rests with those being consulted.
“Efforts were made to reach him. There is a clear willingness to reconcile, but reconciliation only succeeds when both parties are prepared. It cannot be dictated by a ‘my way or no way’ attitude,” he added.
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