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Tag: Sule Lamido

  • Youths berate ex-governor for comment

    Youths berate ex-governor for comment

     Youths in the North under Northern Youths Movement (NYM) have urged former Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido, to stop disparaging others.

     The youth, who were responding to Lamido’s diatribe against Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, calling him a ‘small boy in PDP history’ and asking “where he was in 1999”, said the Lamido was embarrassing the North.

     In a  statement in Abuja by its Chairman, Mallam Ishaya Jato, NYM said it was an irony that those who were children when PDP was being formed have grown to maturity and are now fathers of many political children while some of the elders of 1998 are still acting like children, probably because they became emergency elders when they were supposed to be children.

     “Little wonder that after being a minister and governor for eight years, Lamido had no other person in Jigawa State to present as PDP governorship candidate other than his son,” the group said.

     They asked; “If, in the estimation of Lamido, who became a political elder at 50 years, 57-year-old Wike is still a small boy, we wonder what he (Lamido) has become 36 years after he became an elder? Should he now been seen as an ancestral PDP elder?”

    Going memory lane, they said the same way Lamido is going about disparaging Wike now, was the way he has disparaged former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, as well as former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.

    Read Also: Helicopter crash: NIMASA to share information with IMO

     Two years ago, Lamido publicly said ‘Obasanjo was an unknown prisoner when PDP was formed.’

    Ironically, he went on to admonish Obasanjo to stop talking down on people publicly. In 2019, it was Atiku that Lamido described as his junior in politics, saying that he was in the House of Representatives in 1979 when Atiku was still an employee of Nigerian Customs Services. As a sitting PDP Governor, Lamido was everywhere disparaging President Jonathan, calling his government a failure. Even out of office, Lamido has not stopped disparaging President Jonathan. The other time, he lied against the former president, linking him with the controversial Malabu Oil scam. Therefore, we are not surprised that since Lamido and others deceived Atiku to lose the 2023 presidential election, by making him to see himself as President-In-Waiting, more than seven months before the election, he has been venting his frustration and anger on Wike, just because he, alongside other governors like Seyi Makinde, Samuel Ortom, Okezie Ikpeazu and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi refused to be treated like children in a their own party.

  • Northern forum tackles Sule Lamido over calls for Matawalle’s removal

    Northern forum tackles Sule Lamido over calls for Matawalle’s removal

    The Northern Integrity and Security Forum (NISF) has described recent remarks made by former Foreign Affairs Minister and Governor of Jigawa State, Sule Lamido, calling for the removal of the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Mohammed Matawalle as unfortunate.

    According to the Forum, such a call coming amid the troubling climate surrounding the abduction of the Emir of Gobir of Gatawa District in Sokoto state, Alhaji Isa Muhammad Bawa and his son is not only ill-informed but also irresponsible, unstatesmanlike and alarmingly disingenuous.

    The statements signed by the Forum’s Chairman, Tijjani Auwalu said, it was crucial to affirm that while the situation in Sokoto and other parts of Northern Nigeria is of utmost concern, the challenges faced are national in scale, engulfing various facets of our society—from urban centres to rural localities.

    It stressed that Lamido’s attempt to limit Matawalle’s responsibilities solely to Sokoto or the North is a gross misrepresentation of the reality that security is an ongoing national issue, requiring collective efforts and shared accountability across government tiers.

    “The timing and target of Lamido’s critique raise significant questions regarding his underlying motives. It is disconcerting that Lamido chose to single out Matawalle, a junior minister while overlooking Badaru Abubakar, the senior Defence Minister, who coincidentally shares the same home state of Jigawa with Lamido.

    “We must ask: why direct unrelenting attacks towards a loyal ally of President Tinubu, while seemingly absolving a senior counterpart? Such selective criticism indicates a strategic manoeuvre aimed at undermining the political framework supporting our President, rather than a genuine concern for the nation’s security.

    “Moreover, the contrasting nature of Lamido’s recent expressions of empathy for a singular Emir in captivity stands in stark contradiction to his silence throughout the years of suffering endured by ordinary Zamfara communities and other ordinary Nigerians”.

    The forum noted that thousands have fallen victim to heinous acts of abduction, torture, extortion, and displacement over the past two decades and the absence of Lamido’s voice in addressing these widespread tragedies all this while raises concerns about his commitment to empathy and meaningful advocacy for the Nigerian people.

    This singular attack on Matawalle cannot be detached from the backdrop of emerging investigations of Bashir Hadejiya, linked to serious criminal activities including, terrorism sponsorship, gun running, and cross-border crimes, the forum stated.

    “The growing panic among certain political figures, including those aligned with Lamido, reflects a desperate attempt to destabilize the current administration as these investigations unfold. NISF expects that as this inquiry progresses, more personalities with dubious affiliations will be brought to light, further revealing the motivations behind such orchestrated smear campaigns.

    “It bears noting that the relentless criticism directed at Matawalle is indicative of a concerted effort by a faction of inconsequential northern politicians—of which Lamido is a prominent member—to weaken the integrity and growing influence of President Tinubu in the North”.

    NISF posited that Matawalle’s unwavering allegiance to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu embodies the support necessary for a resilient governance and political structure. Hence, these attacks serve as a testament to Matawalle’s reliability and dependability, which must be subdued if these politicians wish to see President Tinubu rendered vulnerable.

    Read Also: Sule Lamido thirsts for history

    “We solemnly caution that in the fullness of time, the extent of involvement of several figures in the crimes of Bashir Hadejiya would be exposed. The ongoing investigation into Bashir Hadejiya’s criminal activities will inevitably blow open the cover of those whose actions contradict their public personas”.

    The forum therefore urged President Tinubu to remain steadfast and resolute against attempts to incite division within his solid support base in the North, adding that the loyalty embodied by figures such as Minister Matawalle, National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, and Director-General of the Department of State Services, Yusuf Bichi, is indispensable to the integrity of the current administration and national security.

    “The NISF stands firm in our commitment to supporting our President’s efforts of fortifying the Northern region’s security and integrity. We shall not waver in promoting a united front against any efforts to undermine our collective strength in pursuing a safer and more prosperous Nigeria” the statement added.

  • Don’t be a bigot, you’re a statesman, Lamido tells Obasanjo

    FORMER Governor Sule Lamido of Jigawa State has advised former President Olusegun Obasanjo to withdraw the statement credited to him, suggesting that “Fulanization and Islamization” of West Africa is the agenda of Boko Haram insurgents.

    Lamido made the remark in a press statement from his media aide, Mansur Ahmad, in reaction to Obasanjo’s latest claim on Boko Haram. Lamido who served as Foreign Affairs Minister under Obasanjo between 1999 and 2003 said the claim is not proper for a nationalist of Obasanjo’s stature.

    He advised the former President not to allow his disappointment with the current administration to turn him to a religious and ethnic bigot.

    The former governor’s statement reads in part: “If it were said at a non-religious venue to a non-religious audience, may be; it might have been more tolerable. Please sir, don’t let your disappointment with sitting the President turn you into a bigot. You must not abandon the national stage. The cracks along the various divides in our National cohesion are already turning into huge gorges.”

    Read also: Obasanjo: Boko Haram is for Fulanisation, Islamisation

    The former President made the statement during a church service at the Cathedral Church of St. Paul’s Anglican Church, Oleh, Isoko South Local Government Area of Delta State. He was quoted as saying “the twin evils of Boko Haram and marauding cattle herders were initially treated with kid gloves”.

    Obasanjo’s statement added: “It’s no longer an issue of lack of education and lack of employment for our youth in Nigeria which it began as; it is now West African Fulanization, Islamization and global organised crimes of human trafficking, money laundering, drug trafficking, gun trafficking, illegal mining and regime change.”

    Lamido and Obasanjo are fierce critics of the Muhammadu Buhari administration. They have both openly criticised President Buhari for his handling of the economy and security situation of the country.

  • Lamido, PDP and Atiku Abubakar

    Sule Lamido is among the nine people (G9) who formed the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 1998 along with Senator Iyorchia Ayu, Prof. Jerry Gana, the late Dr. Alex Ekwueme, the late Mallam Adamu Ciroma, the late Chief Solomon Lar, the late Chief Bola Ige, the late Sen. Ella, and the late Alhaji Abubakar Rimi. They confronted former Head of State, the late Gen. Sani Abacha on the need to quit the office and allow democracy to prosper.  Lamido and Rimi were picked and locked up in DSS cells, Rimi in Ilorin and Lamido in Maiduguri. They were only released after the sudden demise of Abacha

    Lamido and Ayu are the lone PDP founding fathers still on the landscape in PDP. Lamido’s four decades of experience in the rough terrain of Nigerian politics is being brought to bear in this election circle. He is so often in the news for a combination of reasons including his imposing physical presence, his simple style of doing things, his solid records of commitment, loyalty, achievements, consistency and sacrifice etc to PDP since its creation in 1999 to date.

    He is one of the most experienced politicians in Nigeria and has made a lot of sacrifices for this country. His contributions have re-united and re-awakened the country and if politics and PDP are concerned, Lamido is one person you cannot bury or shove away.

    He always says his mind, which in all cases aligns with the interests of the common man. He never succumbs to sentiments. He is not the fair-weather type as so many politicians are; rather he stands rooted in principle and to progressive politics. In all of this, he brings rich personal experience to bear in all he does. Lamido displays his sagacity in full force. He deployed his unmatched energy and political skills in campaigning for PDP candidates from the top to the bottom from 1999 to date. He has a history of radically confronting the military junta of Abacha for the sake of restoring democracy to Nigeria and he was sent to jail severally, during the PRP and military era.

    Even before the return of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, Olusola Saraki, Rabiu Kwankwaso and Governor Aminu Tambuwal etc to PDP, Lamido been a party man and democrat has been calling Alhaji Atiku, his former colleagues (governors) and other PDP party faithful who left the party for one reason or the other to return home (PDP). If Lamido doesn’t mean well for the PDP and the country at large, he should have not openly and consistently be calling on them to return.

    The gossips, the political analysts and the entire populace are overwhelmingly convinced that, the political gladiators in the region and across board cannot produce a match to Sule Lamido let alone surpassing his credentials and achievements. His political association with political heavy weights across the globe is his political asset that cannot be matched at least with any person in the region, now and possibly in the next decades to come.

    The long awaited PDP presidential primary has come and gone with the emergence of Atiku as its flag bearer for 2019 presidential election. Lamido been a party man, nationalist, loyal and consistent in PDP and a true democrat has accepted the outcome.

    Since leadership is an attribute of God, leadership is the will of God; leadership is the choice of God. Lamido is more concerned with a peaceful, progressive and a united Nigeria than his personal interests. As he supported Chief Olusegun Obasanjo in 1999 and 2003, the late Shehu Yar’Adua in 2007 and Goodluck Jonathan in 2011 and 2015, he will as well continue to support anybody who wears the crown and work for PDP in many years to come.

    • By Adamu Muhd Usman

    Kafin-Hausa, Jigawa State

  • Water-tight security as PDP holds national convention

    Why Tambuwal will be crowned winner by delegates’

    Water-tight security arrangements have been made by the Rivers State Police Command and other security agencies, for Saturday’s national convention of the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the peaceful and hitch-free.

    Port Harcourt, the capital of the hitherto volatile Rivers state in the Niger Delta and its environs are being properly policed, considering the large number of PDP members from the 36 states of Nigeria and Abuja, that will be converging on Adokiye Amaesimaka Stadium to elect PDP’s presidential candidate that will challenge President Muhammadu Buhari, who is the presidential candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), during the 2019 election.

    Rivers Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Nnamdi Omoni, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), on Friday in a telephone interview, assured all PDP delegates and other persons who would be at the convention that there would be adequate protection of their lives and property, urging them not to entertain any fear.

    Omoni said: “Water-tight security arrangements have been made by the Rivers State Police Command. I can assure you that the national convention of PDP will be seamlessly held and there will be no security breach, in view of the heavy deployment of policemen in the venue of the national convention, hotels, entry and exit points, as well as other strategic points.

    “All the black spots in Port Harcourt and its environs have been identified and are being properly policed. Movements in the day and night, before, during and after the convention will be without any incident.”

    The twelve presidential aspirants who are vying at the convention are Aminu Tambuwal, Atiku Abubakar, Rabiu Kwankwaso, Bukola Saraki, Sule Lamido, Ahmed Makarfi, Attahiru Bafarawa, Ibrahim Dankwambo, Tanimu Turaki, Datti Baba-Ahmed, David Mark and Jonah Jang.

    The Director-General of Tambuwal Campaign Organisation, Mike Omeri, also assured that the Governor of Sokoto State would be crowned winner by the delegates at PDP’s national convention, in view of his capacity, youthfulness, capability, experience and being the most qualified.

    Read Also: Who gets PDP’s ticket?

    Omeri, while addressing a crowded news conference Friday at Hotel Presidential, Port Harcourt, said: “The accredited delegates will be free to cast their votes without interference, but I can assure you that almost all of them will vote for Gov. Tambuwal, who has never been invited for questioning by any security or anti-graft agency.

    “Gov. Tambuwal is young and he believes in the future of Nigeria. He also believes that Nigeria has passed the stage of potential, but now at the stage of possibilities and fulfilment of dreams. He has a blueprint to transform Nigeria and he always speaks from the heart.”

    The director-general of Tambuwal campaign organisation also gave an assurance that his principal would take Nigeria to the next level and would quickly restructure Nigeria, shortly after his May 29, 2019 inauguration as President.

  • Atiku begs Lamido to step-down and support him

    The former Vice President and PDP presidential aspirant Atiku Abubakar has pleaded with the former Jigawa state Governor Alhaji Sule Lamido to step down for him in the presidential primary.

    He made the plea on Monday at the Jigawa state PDP secretariat during his visit to the state as part of his tour to canvas for support ahead of party’s presidential primaries.

    Abubakar also paid a visit to the former Jigawa Governor Alhaji Sule in Bamaina his home town to seek the blessings of the PDP chieftain.

    Atiku said the visit was aimed at seeking the support of Lamido who is also a presidential aspirant, as the party continues to strategise  to takes the mantle of leadership from the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    He explained that he did not go to Jigawa for a campaign but to visit PDP members in the state and his junior brother (Sule Lamido).

    Atiku related the incident with what happened in 1993 election under the Social Democratic Party SDP in Katsina state when Shehu Musa Yar’Adua stepped down for  Umaru Musa Yar’Adua .

    Read Also: 2019: Atiku visits Makarfi

    He said elders of the state approached Shehu Musa Yar’Adua that there is no way they can support him as president and support his younger brother as the Governor of the state.

    “Junior brother cannot contest against his Senior brother, the junior brother instantly stepped down for his brother due to his loyalty,”he recalled.

    He explained that the country need repairs because of system failure around all sectors in the country,unity ,security, and economic of the country.

    “The government inherited economy growing at about 7% and crashed it to recession in its first year and currently going below 2%,”he noted.

    “Most of the parts of this country are currently feeling excluded,” he added.

    Atiku stated that APC administration is a total failure and disappointment and advised Nigerians to massively vote out APC in the coming 2019 general election for the country’s unity and development.

    Responding, Alhaji Lamido said the visit is a home coming visit.

    The presidential aspirants kept mute after the closed door meeting as they declined to comment on the issue.

  • Lamido accuses APC of corruption

    Former Jigawa State governor, Dr Sule Lamido has accused the All Progressives Congress-led Federal Government of massive corruption, saying they have succeeded in impoverishing many Nigerians within three years.

    Lamido who stated this in Lokoja, on Wednesday, when he met the Kogi State chapter of People Democratic Party noted that the present APC government is demonized.

    He alleged that the ruling party is a fraud bereft of agenda for the people it is governing.

    He called on Nigerians to rise, unite, and rescue the country from injustice meted on them by the APC administration.

    The PDP presidential aspirant who came seeking the support of members of the party’s state exco ahead of the upcoming convention said that the country’s present leadership has succeeded in causing pains and disunity among Nigerians.

    “I was ashamed when I entered Kogi State; when I look into the eyes of many Kogites and Nigerians, it was clearly written in their faces that all is not well.

    Read Also: PDP won’t change name – Lamido

    According to him: “They said they are fighting corruption in this government, which is not true. I can tell you that there is massive corruption at the presidential villa.

    “What our party succeeded in building for our nation, Nigeria, in the last 16 years is currently under threat, all because of the APC-led government.

    “PDP remains the party to contend with come 2019. The party respects the right of every Nigerian, unlike what we are having now.”

    He promised to run an all inclusive government if voted to power come 2019.

    He thanked members of the Kogi PDP exco for the warm reception given to him in the state

  • 2019: I’m the authentic PDP candidate – Lamido

    Former Jigawa State Governor, Alhaji Sule Lamido, on Friday declared himself a sole presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the 2019 election.

    Lamido insisted that among all the presidential aspirants, he remained the only one without a “membership lacuna.”

    He told PDP stakeholders in Bayelsa State to address him as “the aspirant” and not as “an aspirant,” boasting that he would emerge the party candidate and eventually win the 2019 election.

    Lamido, who was in Bayelsa to solicit support of the state chapter of the party for his ambition, claimed he is the only qualified PDP aspirant to challenge President Muhammadu Buhari in 2019.

    The former governor, who inaugurated some projects in the state, taunted other presidential aspirants, saying they were not committed and consistent members of the PDP and lacked the rights to vie for the party’s ticket.

    He said: “We want a thoroughbred PDP person. I came to see my brothers and sisters. We share the same concerns and commitments. Before you here is the aspirant not an aspirant. Before you here is the President of Nigeria after our convention.

    “Before you here is your brother and commander-in-chief in 2019. Our party needs the cohesion and the discipline.  So, we must rescue Nigeria and it must be somebody with the character of the PDP. In me is a very huge and large heart.

    “We have to save Nigeria. I didn’t come to campaign. I am your candidate. Whether you like it or not l must be your candidate. When others come, there will be lacuna in their membership. You need a consistent person.”

    Governor Seriake Dickson described Lamido as a consistent, dependable, courageous mobiliser for the PDP and supporter of good causes for the country and the party.

    While appealing to Nigerians to rally round PDP to rescue the country from its litany of woes, Dickson said Bayelsa was ready to receive more presidential aspirants.

    He described the current security and economic challenges in the country as unparalleled, saying the All Progressives Congress (APC) failed to deliver on its mandate to the citizenry.

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Lamido laments confusion in Buhari’s govt

    Declares himself PDP candidate

    Former Jigawa State Governor, Alhaji Sule Lamido, on Thursday carpeted the administration of President Muhummadu Buhari and alleged that there was confusion in the Federal Government.

    Lamido, who insisted that Buhari was not in charge of his administration, added that nobody in the administration could be held accountable for the crises rocking different parts of the country.

    The former governor was in Bayelsa State with his entourage to seek the support of Governor Seriake Dickson and the state’s chapter of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) for his presidential ambition in 2019.

    He, however, declared himself the PDP candidate for the election and boasted that he was sure of winning the ticket and becoming the commander-in-chief in 2019.

    Speaking in a courtesy visit to Dickson in Government House, where he was received by crowd of PDP stakeholders, Lamido highlighted some events that made him believe President Buhari was not in charge of his government.

    He said a detachment of policemen laid siege at the residence of the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, for over 10 hours but that the Inspector-General of Police denied the development and said he did not authorize it.

    Lamido further said Buhari claimed he knew politicians behind the killings in the north but had failed to arrest them despite thousands of lives lost in many conflicts.

    He said: “Today, Nigeria is under siege. As a government, they have no focus. As a government, we don’t know who is in charge, whether it is Buhari or chief of staff. Nobody knows.

    “Lamentably, our President said the issues of crisis and violence is caused by people he knows very well. But he can’t even arrest them. You know them but you can’t arrest them.

    “The IG went and blocked the house of the Senate President. For ten hours the house was under siege, but the IG said he was not aware. Who is in charge? Buhari doesn’t know and IG doesn’t know. Maybe it is Sule Lamido. Who do you hold accountable? Nobody.

    “We have a government which is not focused, incompetent and evil and this country country belongs to all of us. Today, we could see the impunity in government. The number of theft in NNPC and the Central Bank is unheard of. They loot, drain and suck our blood like leeches. But they will say we are the thieves.

    “Today in the north we are killing each other. In Sokoto, Zamafara, Benue and Taraba people are dying. The IG is still inviting Saraki to come for this Offa robbery, but the Attorney-General of the Federation said there was no evidence”.

    He said Buahri and the All Progressives Congress (APC) in their tripod campaign promises of security, economy and corruption.

    He said: “APC came on the tripod of security, economy and corruption. Under PDP, for 16 years we were only there corrupting, stealing and killing, today we have a party of angels brought from heavens and Buhari, Mr. Saint it is up to us to reflect.

    Read Also: Arrest, prosecute killer politicians, Lamido tells Buhari

    “Are we happier now? Are we more united? Are we richer? And are we more secured? APC is a virus of evil. It has turned lies into a part of governance”.

    Lamido claimed to be the only qualified PDP aspirant to challenge Buhari in 2019 and said other aspirants have lacuna in genie membership of the party.

    He said: “We want a thoroughbred PDP person. I came to see my brothers and sisters. We share the same concerns and commitments. Before you here is the aspirant not an aspirant. Before you here is the President of Nigeria after our convention.

    “Before you here is your brother and commander-in-chief in 2019. Our party needs the cohesion and the discipline.  So, we must rescue Nigeria and it must be somebody with the character of the PDP. In me is a very huge and large heart.

    “We have to save Nigeria. I didn’t come to campaign. I am your candidate. Whether you like it or not l must be your candidate. When others come, there will be lacuna in their membership. You need a consistent person”.

    In his remarks, Bayelsa State Governor, Seraike Dickson described Lamido as a consistent, dependable, courageous mobiliser for the PDP and supporter of good causes for the country and the party.

    While appealing to Nigerians to rally round PDP to rescue the country from its litany of woes, Dickson said Bayelsa was ready to receive more presidential aspirants.

    He described the current security and economic challenges in the country as unparalleled saying the APC failed to deliver on its mandate to the citizenry.

    He expressed gratitude to Alhaji Sule Lamido and other progressive minded stakeholders of the party for giving the Niger Delta, which is a minority region, the opportunity to produce a president in the person of Dr. Goodluck Jonathan.

    Dickson emphasized the need for all PDP contestants to pursue their aspirations with the collective interest of the PDP at heart to enable the party organize a free, fair and credible primary that would produce a widely accepted flag bearer.

    He said: “You are consistent, dependable and courageous mobilizers for our party. This state remembers the storms you have weathered to defend the best interest of our party. These are very trying times, but you stood by what was right for Nigeria and for the PDP.

    “The state appreciates your steadfastness; even our party leaders are waiting at the secretariat to receive you. All i want to say is that, we appreciate, your steadfastness and progressive views.

    “We call on you and other contestants to be ready to collaborate with the national leadership of our party when the delegates come together to vote in a free and fair primaries that would produce an acceptable leader”.

  • Killings: Arrest and prosecute killer politicians, Lamido tells Buhari

    Former Governor of Jigawa state and presidential aspirant under the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Sule Lamido has challenged President Muhammadu Buhari to name the politicians behind the incessant killings in the country and bring them to justice.

    Lamido was reacting to claims by the Presidency that it has the list of names of politicians who are responsible for the killings of innocent Nigerians.

    “President Buhari said ‘I know those politicians, who are sponsoring these killings,’ he said so, as the Commander-In-Chief. Now, have they been arrested? Who are they? Name them. People are dying every day, and he knows the killers and they have not been arrested. You press men, please ask him (Buhari) who they are, he should arrest them,” Lamido stated.

    The presidential aspirant, who spoke to journalists in his Kano residence, insisted that the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) government has failed to deliver on its three-point agenda of security, economy and fighting corruption.

    Lamido who said he has started consultation with PDP stakeholders across the country ahead of the convention regretted that Nigerians have suffered a lot under APC government.

    According to him, “on security, you see, before it was Boko Haram, it has now gone beyond Boko Haram. It is now inter-tribal. It is between Fulani and Fulanis; it is between Hausa and Hausas, between Igbos and Igbos. In Ebonyi it is there, in Zamfara it is there and in Sokoto, it is there.

    “So, you see, today, we are under siege. It means all they key security chiefs appointed by this government have failed to deliver. Nigerians are now sleepless, they are watching, they have so many things in their minds—whether to go for what they know is safety, security and prosperity or to go for this culture of violence which is now defiling Nigeria as a country.”

    Lamido further stated that, “the three factors that they used during their campaign—economy, security and fighting corruption are all zero.

    “How on earth can Buhari go to Danjuma Goje’s house to beg him—Goje who has been arraigned in court! And Buhari preferred to go to him, by that, the Judge should be very very careful, because it means they cannot convict Goje.

    “If Oshiomole after all these noise and ranting will go to Saraki and Tambuwal and beg them, after calling PDP thieves and what have you, which means their fight against corruption is defeated.”

    Speaking on the just concluded Ekiti governorship election, Lamido said, “the election process in Ekiti was heavily militarized; and I know it shouldn’t be a surprise because we are being led by a former military General who was also a former military Head of State, who was known for arresting political leaders.

    “Number two, you see, he (Buhari) only says politicians are this, politicians are that, which means he is not a politician.

    “So, I think the election in Ekiti, to me, if it is the wish of the people that is announced as the result, I have no quarrels with it. I hope, also, that this is not the kind of thing we are going to experience in 2019 elections because it will spell doom for democracy.

    “You see, even before the election, there was this acrimony, the atmosphere was very tensed. You see, sending 30, 000 police men in Ekiti for a governorship election is very worrisome.

    “From what I heard, they said they sent 30, 000 policemen, we don’t know the number of other security agencies and para-military. If in 2019, they are sending 30, 000 police men to conduct elections in each state, that means 30, 000 times 36, including Abuja—this is very curious.

    “If this was how that election was conducted, that means they instilled fear in the people. To me, the election has come and gone, it has been conducted and the winner has been declared, I certainly hope that it is the wish of the people that was declared. Let it be the wish of the people that is being declared, simple.”

    He expressed confidence that PDP will reclaim power in 2019, adding that PDP has learnt from its past mistakes.