The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has rejected former Jigawa State governor Sule Lamido’s call to dissolve the new National Working Committee and appoint a caretaker leadership.
The party argued that Lamido’s suggestion violated the party’s constitution and could not stand while outstanding judicial cases were pending.
Lamido issued a 10-day ultimatum to the party’s leadership on Thursday to address its internal problem, after his legal action against the PDP over the national convention held in Ibadan, Oyo State, in mid-November.
While speaking to his supporters at his Sharada Office in Kano, Lamido called for the dissolution of the NWC and the urgent creation of a national caretaker committee for the party.
He maintained that Umar Damagum and Samuel Anyanwu remained the party’s lawful chairman and secretary until their terms expired on December 8, 2025.
However, Ini Ememobong, the National Publicity Secretary of the PDP produced by the Ibadan convention, expressed surprise that Lamido, who initially chose to take his grievances to court rather than using the party’s internal conflict-resolution channels, is now urging the party to rely on internal mechanisms to resolve the same issues.
In an interview, Ememobong stated that Lamido’s viewpoint contradicted current legal realities, citing the fact that multiple factions have already obtained various court decisions, all of which are now before the Court of Appeal.
“He (Lamido) went to court and got a judgment. The Anyanwu group also has a judgment. Others have cases at the High Court. All of us are now before the Court of Appeal. With valid court orders already in place, his suggestion is practically impossible,” he said.
Ememobong emphasized that the PDP constitution does not include a national caretaker committee, and the party cannot form one while the appellate court is hearing petitions that have already been filed.
He stated that if Lamido had chosen internal engagement earlier, the situation would have most likely been resolved without the need for litigation.
Regarding the party’s efforts to reconcile with dissatisfied leaders, Ememobong stated that Lamido was aware that party stakeholders had attempted to contact him and others.
He explained that reconciliation could only work if all parties were willing to participate honestly.
“The elders, the Board of Trustees, and the NWC have all shown commitment to reconciliation. But both sides must be ready. It cannot be a case of insisting that things must go one person’s way,” he said.
According to him, party governors, the national chairman, and NWC members have been arranging meetings with disgruntled members across the country in an attempt to reconcile the party, “but it is up to those being contacted to confirm whether they accept the peace efforts.”
“Moves were made towards him. There is a disposition for reconciliation, but reconciliation must come when both parties are ready. You cannot reconcile on the basis of ‘my way or the highway,’” he said.
