PDP in Peril: Lamido Slams Tinubu’s ‘Inconceivable’ Role in Rivers Crisis

Former Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido, has voiced his astonishment at the involvement of President Bola Tinubu in the political turmoil within Rivers State, a stronghold of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

In a statement shared on his official Facebook page on Tuesday, Lamido criticized the PDP’s perceived passivity in addressing the crisis, questioning the existence and effectiveness of the party’s National Working Committee.

Lamido remarked, “Is there still a functioning National Working Committee of the PDP? Or, better yet, does the PDP still qualify as a political party?” He expressed bewilderment at the absence of PDP’s leadership in dealing with the challenges in Rivers State, allowing Tinubu, a prominent figure from the opposing All Progressives Congress (APC), to take center stage.

The former governor accused Tinubu of exploiting the situation to advance the interests of the APC rather than genuinely mediating in the Rivers State conflict. Lamido contended that Tinubu’s focus should be on addressing nationwide issues such as citizen killings, a responsibility he argued the APC leader had overlooked.

Lamido also highlighted the potential repercussions of the so-called peace accord in Rivers State, asserting that it could lead to future explosions with broader consequences for the entire country. He referenced statements from Asari Mujaheed Tokubo and Chief Edwin Clark, who warned of such outcomes in a recent press conference.

Expressing dismay at the PDP National Executive’s perceived inaction, Lamido urged the party to challenge the perceived illegality of the peace accord through legal channels. He drew attention to Chief Edwin Clark’s critique of the accord and suggested that the PDP should follow his lead in standing against what he deemed unconstitutional.

In a direct message to Governor Fabura of Rivers State, Lamido advised him to disregard the document he signed during the contentious peace meeting, alleging that it was conducted in an environment marked by fear, intimidation, and blackmail. Lamido urged Fabura to discard the agreement, emphasizing that Tinubu, as the meeting’s chair, was allegedly playing a duplicitous role.

Concluding his statement, Lamido called on the PDP’s National Executive to either defend its interests robustly or step down to make way for more competent leadership.