Collapse of PDP could create imperial presidency in Nigeria – Sule Lamido

Speaking during an interview today, Lamido emphasized the critical role the PDP plays in maintaining democratic balance.

“If the PDP falls, Nigeria will fall. Without opposition, the nation risks breeding an emperor. Emperors, driven by greed, eventually destroy themselves,” he stated.

The seasoned politician, a founding member of the PDP, argued that the party is deeply embedded in Nigeria’s democratic history over the last 25 years. He insisted that its survival is essential to preserve that legacy.

Lamido credited the PDP for laying the groundwork for Nigeria’s Fourth Republic in 1999, which he said made it possible for former military leader Muhammadu Buhari to return as a civilian president under the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2015, and for President Bola Tinubu to succeed him in 2023.

He stressed that President Tinubu needs a strong PDP to hold him accountable.

“Tinubu, more than anyone, needs the PDP to keep him on his toes. If the party collapses, no one will be there to challenge him,” he said, vowing to remain with the PDP despite its internal challenges.

Lamido also took aim at President Tinubu’s son, Seyi Tinubu, for distributing rice in northern Nigeria.

He accused him of exploiting the poverty allegedly worsened by his father’s administration.

“He’s taking advantage of the suffering his father has caused. Was he handing out rice two years ago?” Lamido asked, questioning Seyi’s intentions.

With the 2027 presidential elections approaching, Nigeria’s political scene is seeing new alignments.

Internal crises continue to plague both the PDP and Labour Party, while some aggrieved APC members also express discontent.

These dynamics have made the Social Democratic Party (SDP) increasingly attractive to political figures seeking a new platform.

On March 20, 2025, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party’s Peter Obi, and ex-Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai announced a coalition aimed at unseating President Tinubu in the next general elections.

The alliance hopes to build on the over 12 million combined votes garnered by Atiku and Obi in the 2023 election—more than the tally that gave Tinubu his victory.

As Nigeria inches toward 2027, political actors are maneuvering for advantage, and the battle for the soul of the nation’s democracy intensifies.