By Ahmed Muhammad Shanawa
For Arewa Social Media Forum
In the complex history of Nigeria’s democracy, few political parties have demonstrated the resilience and institutional balance of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Since its formation in 1998, the PDP has been guided by a principle that sets it apart — consensus through consultation and negotiation, popularly known among party faithful as the unity list.
This consensus culture has been the backbone of the PDP’s success, allowing it to manage leadership transitions peacefully and prevent destructive internal conflicts. It is through this same tradition that several party stalwarts, including Senator Ahmadu Ali, Prince Vincent Ogbulafor, Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo, and Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, emerged as National Chairmen — not through confrontation, but through broad-based agreement and mutual respect.
It was within this atmosphere of trust and inclusion that Alhaji Sule Lamido, one of the PDP’s founding fathers, rose to national prominence. The PDP’s internal structure and culture of compromise gave him both recognition and opportunity — from his early party activism to his tenure as Governor of Jigawa State. Lamido became a respected figure, shaped and supported by the PDP’s tradition of dialogue and unity.
However, in recent times, Lamido’s conduct and statements have reflected a sharp departure from those ideals. Rather than consolidating the PDP’s unity, he appears to be stirring division and questioning the very consensus principles that once elevated him. His attempt to discredit the party’s leadership and its internal arrangements suggests not constructive criticism, but an effort to undermine the collective wisdom that built the PDP.
This is not just about one man’s ambition — it is about defending the legacy of a party that has nurtured Nigeria’s democracy for over two decades. The PDP’s consensus system, though imperfect, has proven to be a stabilizing mechanism, ensuring that leadership contests do not tear the party apart. By publicly rejecting or ridiculing this process, Lamido risks damaging the very institution that made his political rise possible.
True party loyalty demands humility and respect for established traditions. The unity list is not a symbol of imposition; it is a product of negotiation, balance, and maturity. It reflects the PDP’s understanding that politics is not war, but the art of managing differences for the greater good.
Lamido’s current posture, unfortunately, sends the wrong signal to younger members who look to the party elders for guidance. A house divided against itself cannot stand, and no ambition should be allowed to override the collective interest of the PDP.
As the PDP prepares for its next national convention, the party must reaffirm its identity — one built on unity, consultation, and consensus. Members must guard this heritage jealously and resist any attempt to dismantle it from within.
For Sule Lamido, the challenge is clear: history will not remember how loud he spoke, but how loyal he remained to the principles that gave him his voice.
Published by Arewa Social Media Forum
By Ahmed Muhammad Shanawa
