PDP EARTHQUAKE: Lamido Demands Expulsion of Wike and Ortom — “I Will Not Sit with Traitors!”
Byline: IDNN Political Desk
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is once again on the brink of implosion as former Jigawa State Governor and party elder Sule Lamido publicly demanded the expulsion of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike and former Benue Governor Samuel Ortom for “sabotaging the party” in the 2023 general elections.
“I will not attend any PDP meeting while Wike and Ortom remain,” Lamido fumed, accusing the party of cowardice in dealing with internal betrayal.
The statement has triggered tremors within the PDP’s already fragile framework, reigniting fierce debates over the role of disloyalty, power plays, and the party’s future in the run-up to 2027.
A Party Held Hostage by Its Beneficiaries?
Lamido berated Wike for treating the party like a personal fiefdom:
“He claims to have financed the PDP — but does that mean the party must now take orders from him? Is it wrong for a son to clothe his mother? Does that mean she should now bow to him?”
He slammed Ortom and others who backed Peter Obi instead of the PDP’s presidential candidate, questioning their continued presence in the party’s top organs, including the Board of Trustees.
Lamido also criticized the appointment of Samuel Anyanwu as National Secretary, calling it tone-deaf to internal consensus.
Internal Division vs. Reconciliation Attempt
While Lamido’s outburst reflects growing frustration, party insiders worry his stance could derail fragile reconciliation efforts.
One PDP chieftain said:
“You don’t fight every war at once. We’ve just held our NEC successfully. Now is not the time to fracture further.”
Others blamed Lamido and PDP elders for enabling Wike’s rise over the years, especially when he nearly imposed Tambuwal in 2019 and was courted as Atiku’s running mate.
A warning was issued internally: without strong leadership, the PDP may lose more governors — with Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom rumored to be considering defection.