Sule Lamido Criticizes El-Rufai: “Leadership Requires Patience, Not Anger or Personal Ambition”

Former Jigawa State Governor and PDP chieftain, Alhaji Sule Lamido, has strongly criticized Malam Nasir El-Rufai, the former Kaduna State Governor, over his recent call for opposition leaders to join the Social Democratic Party (SDP). Lamido dismissed El-Rufai’s political maneuver, stressing that leadership should be guided by patience and foresight, not anger or personal ambition....CONTINUE READING>>>

El-Rufai, who recently defected from the APC to the SDP, invited key opposition figures, including Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Rotimi Amaechi, and Rauf Aregbesola, to join him. While he did not mention Lamido directly, his call was seen as directed at prominent politicians across different parties.

“How does he expect us in PDP to follow him to another party? The PDP is the party that made him who he is,” Lamido said during an interview with BBC.

Lamido criticized El-Rufai’s political inconsistency, recalling that he once dismissed political elders, only to now seek their support.

“How can a grandson claim that his grandfather knows nothing?” he asked, referring to El-Rufai’s past disregard for veteran politicians.

He also questioned El-Rufai’s claim of advising former President Muhammadu Buhari, pointing out that despite criticizing Buhari’s leadership, El-Rufai still sought Buhari’s approval before leaving the APC.

“If he truly believes Buhari’s instructions are irrelevant, why did he seek his approval before leaving APC?” Lamido queried.

Reaffirming his loyalty to the PDP, Lamido rejected claims that the party was finished, stating that PDP played a crucial role in shaping Nigerian democracy.

“No matter the challenges within PDP, this is the party that shaped Nigerian democracy. If El-Rufai was ever a minister, it was under PDP. Everything he has today, PDP made it possible,” he stated.

Reflecting on the formation of the APC in 2014, Lamido noted that while some politicians left PDP out of frustration, they later became dissatisfied with APC as well.

“They left PDP in anger, claiming it had failed. Now APC has failed them, so what next?” he asked.

On the broader political landscape, Lamido warned against allowing personal emotions to dictate governance.

“Leadership is not driven by anger, frustration, or personal ambition. It requires patience, foresight, and a commitment to the peace and well-being of the nation,” he emphasized.

Regarding calls for President Bola Tinubu’s removal, Lamido cautioned against opposition driven by personal grievances.

“If the goal is to remove Tinubu, it should not be out of anger. You don’t fight a leader simply because he upset you or for revenge. Governance should be about national interest, not personal emotions,” he warned.

Finally, Lamido urged Nigerian politicians to prioritize the nation’s progress over personal disputes.

“Nigeria’s image in the world is at stake. Our governance must respect human rights and ensure peace. What we need is reform, not emotional reactions,” he concluded.