Friendship with Tinubu won’t stop me from opposing him in 2027 – Sule Lamido

Former Jigawa State Governor and stalwart of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Sule Lamido, has made it clear that his cordial relationship with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will not deter him from opposing the president in the 2027 general election.

Lamido’s remarks come after he was recently spotted exchanging pleasantries with Tinubu in Kaduna, sparking speculation about his political stance.

Speaking in an interview with the BBC, the PDP chieftain explained that while personal friendship is important, it does not override political principles. He stressed that he remains committed to strengthening the opposition and uniting Nigerian politicians to advance the nation’s democratic development.

Last Friday, Lamido and Tinubu were seen joking and laughing during the wedding of former Zamfara Governor Abdulaziz Yari’s son in Kaduna, an interaction that sparked a stir among Nigerian political circles.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar was also seen visiting Lamido last week. Both politicians have long been in the PDP, well before Atiku announced his defection to the Africa Democratic Congress (ADC).

“Atiku and I formed the PDP; when he was the Vice President, I was the Minister of Foreign Affairs. What is wrong when Nigerians come together to discuss the state of their country?” Lamido asked.

‘Tinubu and I Know Each Other Very Well’

Sule Lamido has been one of the most vocal opposition PDP members criticising the ruling APC, especially since the administration of the late President Muhammadu Buhari.
However, his relationship with President Tinubu is longstanding, dating back to the 1990s when they both belonged to the Social Democratic Party (SDP).

Tinubu and Lamido were seen exchanging pleasantries during their meeting at the Sultan Bello Mosque in Kaduna last Friday. When asked what they discussed, Lamido responded:

“We know each other very well, but we haven’t met in a while, and now he is the President of Nigeria.
I told him, ‘You look nice.’ He also told me, ‘Is that how you have changed? Sule, I love you because you are trustworthy.’ We laughed and left.”

Despite the encounter, Lamido reiterated that his priority is uniting Nigerians to oppose the APC government led by Tinubu.

Although Atiku and other PDP figures have defected to the ADC, Lamido insists he remains in the PDP but maintains communication with both current and former party members.

“It’s not just Atiku who is now in a different party; we are speaking to many people who were once together but are now divided. We are all Nigerians, and we want our country to progress,” he said.
Lamido stated that the PDP is actively working to resolve its internal crisis.

“There is no doubt that we are constantly engaging, ensuring that compromises are reached where needed, and maintaining communication and consultation, so that Nigeria can move forward. What we are doing is not for ourselves, but for the people,” said the former governor.

“Not just me every Nigerian has a right to the President, and if he is seen to be wrong, there’s nothing wrong in telling him the truth.”