Lamido appeals to political stakeholders across the country to avoid zoning as a criterion for leadership selection in 2023
By Ishaya Ibrahim, News Editor
Former Governor of Jigawa State and a stalwart of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Sule Lamido, has said he will support Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, if he decides to vie for the party’s ticket for the 2023 presidential election.
Lamido said this at his country home in Bamaina, Birnin Kudu local government area of Jigawa State, when Tambuwal came calling on Tuesday.
Hearkening to calls by the Sokoto State chapter of the PDP, Tambuwal on Monday agreed to begin a nationwide consultation on the desirability or otherwise of him pursuing a bid for the Presidency under the auspices of the PDP.
Tambuwal who recalled the trajectory of his political career pointed out that he had never ventured into any political striving without seeking the approval and blessing of his constituents.
He said: “I have listened to our party leaders, women and youths on the call that I should initiate and begin the process of consultations with a view of running and contesting for the President of Nigeria under the banner of our great party,”
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As promised, he flagged off the consultations on Tuesday with the visit to Lamido, former governor of Jigawa State.
Tambuwal, former Speaker of the House of Representatives, was accompanied by Zamfara Deputy Governor Barrister Mahdi Aliyu Gusau; former Sokoto Deputy Governor, Mukhtar Shagari; former Minister of Power, Engr. Bello Suleiman and former chairman of the PDP, Alhaji Bello Muhammad.
Others in the entourage are: former Director Counterterrorism in the office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), Gen Sarkin-Yaki Bello and Hon. Aminu Musa Koko.
Led by Mustapha Sule Lamido, son of their host, they were welcomed at Dutse International Airport by a large and joyous crowd that rode and drove with Tambuwal’s motorcade at snail speed for about two hours in a journey of less than 30 minutes to Bamaina.
Bafarawa, who said the visit to Lamido was the first, said it was deliberate to honour the man reputed as the leader of the talakawas (poor masses).
Bafarawa expressed gratitude to Lamido for the warm reception accorded them, even as he said the visit was not political but consultative.
“You are not just a former Governor but a great political mobilizer whose people still respect and follow despite the fact that you have been out of office for almost seven years now,” he said.
Tambuwal, who was visibly elated by the warm reception, said he came to Jigawa to seek the support of Lamido and the PDP faithful in the state.
Speaking, Lamido appealed to political stakeholders across the country to avoid zoning as a criterion for leadership selection in 2023.
Rather, he argued that Nigerians with proven track record of trustworthiness who also have national outlook like Tambuwal should be encouraged to pick up the challenge of running for the presidency.
Lamido expressed concern that all previous efforts to stabilise the country were bastardised in recent times by the worrisome upsurge of ethnicity and religious schisms.
According to him, these trends need to be reversed, pointing out that what is needed are competent leaders like Tambuwal with sterling qualities.
“Our son here, is like me. We have similar and parallel positions in government. I have even held more sensitive positions than him,” he said jocularly, emphasising that he is “looking forward to having” the Governor as a worthy successor, who is eminently qualified to run for the highest office in the land should he choose to do so.”
Lamido added that he was ready to support Tambuwal if he opts to seek PDP’s ticket to be its flag bearer provided he will be a “pan Nigerian that will be just.”