Sule Lamido, a former Governor of Jigawa State and a founding member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has declared that his longstanding personal friendship with President Bola Tinubu will not prevent him from leading political opposition against the President in the 2027 election.
Lamido’s statement comes just days after he and President Tinubu were seen sharing a warm and jovial interaction at a wedding in Kaduna, a moment that sparked widespread discussion in political circles.
“We know each other very well,” Lamido told the BBC, recounting their meeting. “I told him, ‘You look nice.’ He also told me, ‘Sule, I love you because you are trustworthy.’ We laughed and left.”
However, Lamido was quick to draw a clear distinction between personal rapport and political duty. He emphasized that his commitment to opposing the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) government remains unwavering.
“Despite our friendship, we will continue to fight politically,” Lamido stated, clarifying that the cordial encounter would not translate into political support. His priority, he explained, is to unite opposition figures to challenge the APC in the next general election.
Lamido’s efforts appear to include reaching across party lines. He confirmed recent consultations with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who recently defected to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), and other politicians.
“What is wrong when Nigerians come together to discuss the state of their country?” Lamido asked, defending his outreach. “We are all Nigerians, and we want our country to progress.”
While firmly positioning himself against the Tinubu administration, Lamido insisted that his actions are driven by national interest rather than personal animosity.
“Not just me – every Nigerian has a right to the President, and if he is seen to be wrong, there’s nothing wrong in telling him the truth,” he said.
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