Former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido says genuine reconciliation in the Peoples Democratic Party depends on leaders accepting the Nyesom Wike backed National Caretaker Committee.
He made the appeal during a Ramadan Iftar with PDP executives and members in his hometown, Bamaina.
Lamido described the caretaker committee, led by Abdulrahman Mohammed, as the only stabilising party structure recognised by the Independent National Electoral Commission.
He argued that, without first accepting this body, ongoing peace talks between rival camps would not produce lasting unity.
The former governor praised FCT Minister Nyesom Wike as a politically shrewd figure who moved quickly when the tenure of the former National Working Committee expired.
He said that by the time the NWC’s term elapsed, the only functional national structure left in the party was the caretaker committee backed by Wike.
Lamido acknowledged that many PDP members have political disagreements with Wike, but insisted that reconciliation requires inviting him and other key stakeholders to the table.
He urged party leaders to put aside personal grievances and work together “in the spirit of brotherhood and PDP sisterhood” to rebuild the party.
The caretaker leadership, which is at odds with the faction linked to former presidential candidate Taminu Turaki and governors Seyi Makinde and Bala Mohammed, has already listed its own conditions for peace.
These include recognition of the committee’s authority and agreement on the process for a future national convention.
Abdulrahman Mohammed welcomed Lamido’s position, saying the former governor stood for what he believed was best for the PDP at this critical time.
He noted that while some contacts may be ongoing with Wike individually, a clear engagement with the caretaker committee as an institution is still needed.
Lamido, a founding member of the party, said he believes reconciliation will help reposition the PDP as a serious contender ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He warned that if leaders fail to close ranks, the party may lose further ground to the ruling All Progressives Congress.
Political analysts say Lamido’s intervention could push more PDP elders and power brokers to publicly align with the caretaker structure.
They add that how both the Wike camp and the Turaki backed faction respond in the coming weeks will determine whether the party moves toward unity or deeper division.