I won’t attend PDP meetings until Wike is expelled – Sule Lamido

Former Governor of Jigawa State, Sule Lamido, has declared his intention to boycott all activities and meetings of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) until Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, and other individuals he referred to as “impostors” are expelled from the party.

Lamido, a founding member of the PDP and vocal critic of Wike’s influence in recent party affairs, was noticeably absent from the PDP National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting held on Tuesday in Abuja.

In a statement released ahead of the meeting, Lamido expressed deep frustration over the continued involvement of individuals he believes have undermined the party’s unity and credibility. He accused Wike and others of working against the PDP’s interests during the 2023 general elections and maintained that their actions should disqualify them from holding any form of influence within the party.

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Speaking with journalists on Tuesday, Lamido claimed Wike’s continued presence in the PDP threatens the party’s peace and stability.

“Wike is a disaster. He is a product of the PDP, made relevant by the party, nurtured and celebrated by the party. But today, he turns around to destroy it,” Lamido said.

“I cannot sit in the same meeting with impostors. Until the party removes these people, I will not attend PDP meetings. I am still a loyal member, but I won’t dignify this rot.”

The ex-governor also criticised the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) for sealing the PDP national secretariat a move he attributed to Wike.

“To seal the PDP secretariat, an institution that gave you life, is un-African, un-Nigerian, and a total abuse of power,” he said.

“Wike’s thinking is warped. He lacks the cultural and moral grounding that our political tradition demands.”

Lamido faulted the PDP’s national working committee (NWC) for failing to expel Wike and other members accused of engaging in anti-party activities.

“What exactly is the NWC afraid of?” he asked.

“Why hasn’t Wike been expelled? Why is Samuel Ortom (former governor of Benue) still on the board of trustees after publicly endorsing Tinubu?

“These are fundamental breaches. If this party is to survive, it must cleanse itself.”

Lamido commended President Bola Tinubu for issuing a 14-day ultimatum to defaulters to pay FCT ground rent.

He said Wike ordered the closure of the PDP headquarters to curry Tinubu’s favour, adding that the president would eventually abandon him for engaging in eye service.

“Ironically, the man Wike is trying to impress was the one who called him to order. That tells you everything,” Lamido said.

“Even Tinubu is beginning to see that Wike is unreliable, without tradition and pedigree. And I assure you, he will soon abandon him too.”

Lamido also addressed concerns about a one-party state, saying it is “state-sponsored sabotage”.

The PDP has been grappling with internal crisis since 2022.