The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has rejected former Jigawa State governor, Sule Lamido’s call for the dissolution of the newly constituted National Working Committee (NWC) and the installation of a caretaker leadership.
According to the party, Lamido’s proposal violates the PDP constitution and cannot be implemented while multiple court cases relating to the party’s leadership crisis are still pending.
Lamido had, on Thursday, given the party’s leadership a 10-day ultimatum to resolve its internal disputes after taking the PDP to court over the national convention held in Ibadan, Oyo State, in mid-November.
Speaking to his supporters at his Sharada Office in Kano, Lamido demanded that the NWC be disbanded and replaced with a national caretaker committee.
He insisted that Umar Damagum and Samuel Anyanwu remain the party’s legitimate National Chairman and National Secretary until their tenure expires on December 8, 2025.
However, in response, PDP’s National Publicity Secretary elected at the Ibadan convention, Ini Ememobong, said it was ironic that Lamido—who chose the courts over the party’s internal mechanisms—was now urging the PDP to rely on the same internal processes to resolve issues he had already taken to court.
In an interview with Sunday PUNCH, Ememobong argued that Lamido’s suggestion contradicts the current legal situation, noting that different factions have obtained conflicting court judgments, all of which are now before the Court of Appeal.
“He (Lamido) went to court and secured a judgment. The Anyanwu group also has its own judgment. Other cases are still ongoing at the High Court. We are all now before the Court of Appeal. With existing court orders, what he is proposing is simply not possible,” he said.
Ememobong emphasized that the PDP constitution does not recognize a national caretaker committee and that the party cannot create one while the appellate court is handling related appeals.
He added that if Lamido had engaged in internal dialogue earlier, the crisis might have been resolved without litigation.
On reconciliation efforts, the spokesperson said Lamido is aware that party elders and stakeholders have reached out to him and other aggrieved leaders.He noted that peace efforts can only succeed if all parties show sincerity and openness.
“The elders, the Board of Trustees, and the NWC have all demonstrated willingness to reconcile. But both sides must be ready. It cannot be about one person insisting on their own terms,” he said.
He added that party governors, the national chairman, and members of the NWC have been meeting with dissatisfied members nationwide to restore unity, but it is up to those being approached to accept the peace moves.
“Efforts were made to reach him. There is a readiness for reconciliation, but both parties have to be open to it. You cannot reconcile with a ‘my way or the highway’ attitude,” he stated.
