The 2023 governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Jigawa State, Mustapha Sule Lamido, has been cleared to contest the party’s governorship primary ahead of the 2027 general election.
Lamido was cleared by the PDP screening committee in Abuja on Thursday.
PrimeTimes Nigeria reports that the party’s governorship primary is scheduled to hold on May 21.
Lamido emerged as the only aspirant screened for the PDP governorship ticket in Jigawa State.
His clearance has positioned him as the party’s likely flag bearer to challenge the incumbent governor, Umar Namadi of the All Progressives Congress, in the 2027 governorship election.
Speaking after the screening exercise, Lamido said his decision to contest again was driven by the need to bring positive change to Jigawa State.
He said the state needed purposeful leadership that would address the needs of ordinary people and improve the political landscape.
Lamido also expressed concern over the increasing wave of defections among politicians, saying the trend showed that some political actors lacked ideological commitment.
The PDP chieftain said younger politicians were determined to change the country’s political system through dedication, courage and people-focused leadership.
He described the PDP as the only opposition party with strong ideologies capable of addressing the aspirations of ordinary Nigerians.
According to him, the party remained strong in Jigawa and had the structure needed to perform better in the next election.
Lamido recalled that the PDP secured over 400,000 votes in the previous governorship election in the state.
He expressed confidence that the party would record an improved performance in 2027, adding that Jigawa people were ready for a stronger opposition and a new direction.