By Adamu Muhd Usman
Sule Lamido is among the nine people (G9) who formed the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 1998 along with Senator Iyorchia Ayu, Prof. Jerry Gana, the late Dr Alex Ekwueme, the late Mallam Adamu Ciroma, the late Chief Solomon Lar, the late Chief Bola Ige, the late Sen. Ella, and the late Alhaji Abubakar Rimi. They confronted former Head of State, the late Gen. Sani Abacha, on the need to quit the office and allow democracy to prosper.
Lamido and Rimi were picked and locked up in DSS cells – Rimi in Ilorin and Lamido in Maiduguri. They were only released after the sudden death of Abacha.
Lamido, Jerry Gana and Sen, Iorchia Ayu are the PDP founding fathers still alive and on the landscape in politics and PDP. Lamido’s four decades of experience in the rough terrain of Nigerian politics is being brought to bear in this election circle. He is so often in the news for a combination of reasons including his imposing physical presence, his simple style of doing things, his solid records of commitment, loyalty, achievements, consistency and sacrifice etc to PDP since its creation in 1998 to date.
Sule Lamido is one of the most experienced politicians in Nigeria, and is arguably the most successful governor in Nigeria from 1999 to date. Before then, he was a former unionist, (PRP national youth leader) parliamentarian (REP) and a former diplomat (minister). He has made a lot of sacrifices for his country, Nigeria. His contributions have re-united and re-awakened Nigeria and if politics and PDP are concerned, Lamido is one person you cannot shove away.
Sule Lamido always says his mind, which in all cases aligns with the interests of the common man. He never succumbs to sentiments. He is not the fair-weather type as so many politicians are; rather he stands rooted in principle and to progressive politics. In all of this, he brings rich personal experience to bear in all he does.
Lamido has been consistent in PDP. He displays his sagacity in full force. He as well deployed his unmatched energy and political skills in campaigning for PDP candidates from the top to the bottom from 1999 to date. He has a history of radically confronting the military junta of Abacha for the sake of restoring democracy.
Lamido was imprisoned for his emancipation of the masses. Some of these things will give him an edge and advantage over other compatriots on the corridors of Nigerian politics and the PDP. Even before the return of Alhaji Atiku, Saraki, and Governor Tambuwal etc to PDP then, Lamido has been a party man and a democrat calling on Alhaji Atiku, his former colleagues (governors) and other PDP faithful who left the party for one reason or the other, to return.
Anybody who knows the NEPU/PRP orients and Santsi school of politics must salute Lamido for being consistence in his ideology, principles and doctrines of fearless, courageous, bold, radicalism and telling the truth and saying his own mind no matter what or how.
The gossips, the political analysts and the entire populace are overwhelmingly convinced that, the political gladiators in the region and across board cannot produce a match to Sule Lamido talk less of surpassing his credentials and achievements. This is a must believe, because the man Lamido is the most experienced politician in the region if not in the country. This is by virtue of the roles he played in various political parties in his life as a career politician from nidus to his present stage, followed by his working experience in the government circle.
The long-awaited PDP presidential primary has come and gone with the emergence of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar as its flag bearer for the 2023 presidential election. Sule Lamido being a party man, nationalist, loyal and consistent in PDP and a true democrat has supported and accepted the outcome of the political development because it is in him for over four decades now.
Also, Lamido has appealed to the aspirants even before the primary that, the contest shouldn’t be a do or die affair and if the presidential primary was conducted in a very democratic way, that is free, fair and credible, as it was, let everyone accept the outcome and support the person who emerges as the candidate of the party to victory in 2023 God willing.
Sule Lmido is more concerned with a peaceful, progressive and a united Nigeria than his personal interest. As he supported Chief Obasanjo in 1999 and 2003, the late Yar’adua in 2007, Jonathan in 2011 and 2015 and Atiku in 2019 he will as well continue to support anybody who wears the crown and work for PDP in many years to come.
Sir, as you add another year to life, May God Almighty continue to grant you more health, preserve and prolong your life. May you continue to keep working for Nigeria to be peaceful, united, efficient and great.
Once again, happy birthday Your Excellency.
Adamu writes from Kafin-Hausa, Jigawa State. [email protected]
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