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Ex-Governor of Jigawa State and founding member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Sule Lamido, has called on party leaders and members across the country to accept the caretaker committee associated with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, as part of efforts to restore unity and stability within the opposition party.

Lamido made the appeal while addressing journalists during a Ramadan Iftar gathering with PDP executives and members in his hometown of Bamaina in Jigawa State.

His remarks come at a time when the party continues to grapple with internal divisions and leadership disputes that have triggered concerns among loyal members about the future of the party.

According to the former governor, the current political situation within the party demands pragmatism, dialogue and compromise among stakeholders if the PDP is to overcome its internal crisis and reposition itself as a formidable political force ahead of future elections.Politics

Lamido described Wike as a politically strategic and calculating figure who was able to take advantage of the leadership vacuum created when the tenure of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) expired.

“Wike is somebody who is very, very shrewd,” Lamido said. “I think he saw through the situation and was able to put up a caretaker committee. By the time the tenure of the existing NWC elapsed, the only structure available was the one backed by him.”

His comments suggest that the caretaker committee promoted by the Wike faction has, in practical terms, become a dominant structure within the party following the expiration of the previous leadership.

Despite acknowledging that many members of the party may have reservations about Wike’s political approach and influence within the PDP, Lamido insisted that reconciliation remains the most realistic path forward.

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The Save Nigeria Movement (SNM) and the Freelance Journalists Federation (FJF) have called on the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigeria Police Force to immediately identify and prosecute individuals involved in the dissemination of false information against the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu.

Addressing a press conference in Abuja on Sunday, the groups said the recent allegations circulating against the Deputy Speaker were orchestrated attempts by certain opposition elements to undermine his growing political profile.

Speaking through their conveners, Solomon Semeka and Ibrahim Akawe Joseph, the coalition alleged that some faceless groups, hiding under the guise of activism, had been circulating baseless allegations concerning the NYSC and Law School records of the Deputy Speaker in an attempt to tarnish his reputation.

According to the groups, the narrative claiming that Kalu illegally combined his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme with Law School training is entirely fictitious and merely a recycled falsehood and should be disregarded.

“We wish to remind the public that a petition on this same matter was previously submitted to the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC). After a thorough review, the LPDC dismissed the petition for lacking merit, effectively putting the matter to rest,” the groups said.

They further disclosed that both organisations independently conducted private inquiries into the allegations and found no evidence supporting the claims.

“Our findings confirm that the Deputy Speaker complied with all statutory requirements of the Nigerian legal profession and the National Youth Service Corps scheme. There is no documentary or factual evidence to support the allegations being peddled by his detractors,” they added.

The groups alleged that the smear campaign was politically motivated and linked to the anticipated 2027 governorship race in Abia State.

“It has become increasingly clear that this campaign of calumny is driven by fear ahead of the 2027 governorship contest in Abia State. Certain politicians in the state appear threatened by the rising popularity of the Deputy Speaker and his unwavering support for the President’s Renewed Hope agenda. Unable to match his legislative performance and political influence, they have resorted to character assassination,” they stated.

They also claimed that their organisations were approached by sponsors of the alleged smear campaign but declined to participate.

“To set the record straight, our organisation was approached about two weeks ago by some of these sponsors to lead the smear campaign. We declined outright. As organisations committed to national development, we refuse to participate in the blackmail of a performing public official who was recently recognised with the Best Lawmaker Award in the country,” they said.

The groups added that they were compiling a dossier on the alleged fake civil society organisations and their sponsors, which would be submitted to security agencies for investigation.

“We are already gathering evidence on these fake CSOs and their political sponsors. This dossier will soon be submitted to the appropriate security agencies to ensure that those behind these malicious acts are exposed and held accountable.”

They maintained that genuine civil society organisations across the country remain supportive of the Deputy Speaker and urged the public to ignore further attempts to revive the allegations.

“These narratives and staged protests are the handiwork of political merchants hired to distract a public servant who remains committed to nation-building.”

The coalition therefore urged the DSS and the Nigeria Police Force to thoroughly investigate the matter and bring those responsible to justice.

“This is a deliberate attempt to defame a high-ranking public official and incite public distrust. We are submitting a formal petition to the relevant security agencies to ensure that those responsible face the full weight of the law.”

“Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu remains a shining light in the 10th National Assembly. The Save Nigeria Movement and other credible civil society organisations will not stand by while attempts are made to drag his reputation through the mud for narrow political interests in Abia State. Nigerians should disregard these malicious narratives, as they are nothing more than desperate attempts to halt a moving train.”

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By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

The lawmaker representing Tambuwal/Kebbe Federal Constituency of Sokoto State, Abdussamad Dasuki, has officially resigned his membership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Dasuki conveyed his decision in a resignation letter dated March 15, 2026, addressed to the PDP chairman of Dogon Daji/Salah Ward in Tambuwal Local Government Area of Sokoto State, bringing an end to his long-standing association with the party.

In the letter, the federal lawmaker attributed his departure to the lingering leadership crisis within the PDP, which he said has severely undermined the party’s ability to function effectively as a strong opposition platform.

According to him, “the persistent internal wrangling has weakened the party’s capacity to offer the credible and organised opposition required to strengthen Nigeria’s democratic system.”

Dasuki stated that “the decision followed extensive consultations with his political associates, constituents, and other stakeholders who share his concerns about the current state of both the party and the country.”

After leaving the PDP, the lawmaker announced that he has joined the African Democratic Congress, ADC, explaining that the move would allow him to work with other like-minded individuals committed to addressing Nigeria’s prevailing socio-economic and political challenges.

He expressed gratitude to members of the PDP for their support during his time in the party and reaffirmed his commitment to continue serving the people of Tambuwal/Kebbe Federal Constituency, Sokoto State, and the nation with dedication, integrity, and courage.

Dasuki also urged his supporters and constituents to remain steadfast as he embarks on a new political journey aimed at contributing efforts to rebuild the country and promote a more prosperous and democratic Nigeria.