Some politicians have in their history been known for upholding the ideals of democracy with respect to majority decision, and so fiercely engaged the military establishment to entrench a free polity. Others, however, jumped at all opportunities to fill empty bellies and devour public funds.
The history of the former is incomplete without the mention of Governor Sule Lamido of Jigawa state, a man whose life is of sacrificial dues in the pursuit of true public service. The latter, however, is of numerous individuals, who today take delight in grandstanding, mainly fired by an “it’s our turn” attitude.
As a courageous democrat, Lamido is known to be a true Nigerian, who differs with others only in principle, maintaining a stern abhorrence for bigotry. This is evident in the political partnerships and collaborations he has built throughout his political career. It is unthinkable for anyone to liken Lamido’s resistance to the lack of fairness within the PDP to a mere ethnic or sectional agenda.
It is in Sule’s character to doggedly advocate for a vibrant polity devoid of rancour and myopia, while also seeking a potent
platform for propagation and institutionalisation of collective activism in progressive leadership. These qualities are some of the key strengths of Governor Lamido, though being mischievously misconceived as utter radicalism or anti-establishment posturing.
Lamido faces no threat whatsoever within the PDP structure in Jigawa State, in terms of loyalty of the structure to his leadership. However, as a founding member and leader of the party, he is intolerant of injustices meted out to fellow party men wherever they may be. Governor Lamido has led a genuine resistance to such injustices, affirming the need for majority decision to be upheld, political space to be free, public offices to be for public good and dissenting views to be accommodated. It would indeed have been great disservice to self and country if Lamido remained silent to such grave misdeeds.
In the march towards restoration of core values and founding ethos of the PDP, the historic “walk out” as well as the formation of the New PDP, Lamido maintained a position of kinship within the party with an insatiable desire for a holistic cleansing. Sule has remained in the PDP in an effort for genuine reinvigoration and reclamation of a true founders’ dream of a democratic and truly national party. Posterity shall judge all of Lamido’s actions on the current state of the PDP as a tenacious pursuit of democratic ideals.
Misbahu Rabiu Kaugama,
Dutse, Jigawa state
