Why prominent PDP members are defecting – Sule Lamido

The former governor of Jigawa State, Alhaji Sule Lamido, has revealed why huge defection is being witnessed in the Peoples Democratic Party (APC).

He also spoke on the frustration and humiliation occasioned by the party’s leadership crisis and the judiciary.

Lamido, who revealed this against the backdrop of the defection of some notable members from the Party as witnessed in Imo and Ebonyi States recently, stated that if the Supreme Court had not overturned ex-governor Emeka Ihedioha’s election, he would have remained a sitting state governor by now.

He also said that if the court had not ruled that Senator Samuel Anyanwu remains the National Secretary when he (Anyanwu) contested the Imo State governorship election, the position of National Secretary would have gone to another person from Imo State.

In the words of Lamido; “Emeka Ihedioha and other chieftains of the PDP that resigned from the party were humiliated and frustrated out. They were humiliated by the leadership of the party, with the help of the judiciary.

“Ministers resigned to contest election. Other government officials and even party officials resigned to contest elective offices. Senator Anyanwu ought to have resigned to contest the governorship election in Imo state.

“What did Anyanwu do? He held onto the office of National Secretary and contested for the governorship election. You cannot eat your cake and still have it. You cannot appropriate the two positions.

“You were the National Secretary and the governorship candidate at the same time. This is not done. So, when the stakeholders from Imo state complained, the judiciary aided him and affirmed his position as National Secretary when he lost his governorship election.

“So, Ihedioha and his group felt frustrated and humiliated by the action of the leadership of the party by failing to stand up for justice.

He stressed, “So, as a person, I don’t blame Ihedioha and his associates. I can understand why he and his associates left. Some external influences are tele-guiding the party,”.

Speaking on the defection of Alhaji Ibrahim Shema, the former governor of Katsina, to the All Progressives Congress (APC), Lamido said the state was formally under the control of the All Peoples Party (APP), emphasised that the influence of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, made the PDP to win the state in 2003.

According to Lamido; “I see it as he wants to meet them. I don’t believe that he went to APC because of the EFCC. Though, I remember what the former national chairman of APC, Adams Oshiomhole said that when you defect to the APC, all your sins are forgotten.”