Group to Lamido: Your arrogance’ll earn Atiku another electoral failure

Sule Lamido

A socio-political group, One Nigeria Movement (ONM), has said the display of arrogance by former governor of Jigawa State, Sule Lamido, and other associates of the presidential candidate Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, would affect him in the 2023 general election.

The group said the utterances of Lamido recently were not only inimical to the unity of Nigeria, but a sign that the PDP presidential candidate was already being caged by a group who appeared to see others as nobody.

The group, in a statement issued on Wednesday by its Convener General, Ahmed Sodiq-Mugoro, and Secretary, Babatunde Aliyu, said listening to over 70 years Lamido talk the way he did on Channels Television on Tuesday, it was clear that Atiku and those around him do not want to win any election.

ONM said calling Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, emperor by Lamido “who after being governor of Jigawa State for eight years, have imposed his own son as PDP governorship candidate is, to say the least, hypocritical.”

“A situation where a younger Governor Wike is maintaining some kind of decorum while an over 70-year-old man like Lamido is speaking recklessly is appalling,” the group added.

Lamido had said both members of Atiku and Wike’s team who met in Port Harcourt, Rivers State were well-wishers, adding that they were unknown in the PDP.

Reacting, the ONM said it was obvious that Atiku and those around him like Lamido do not want Governor Wike and his men.

It said: “Those with Atiku appeared like people who already have the votes in their inner pockets and are only waiting for him to be pronounced winner.

“However, it is our belief that even if you know that you have won an election, you still don’t have to rob it on the face of your opponents before voting and declaration of results, with an over 70-year-old man jumping from one media house to another to speak like others do not matter.

“Most importantly, if Atiku, who is called a unifier is unable to unify his own house, how will he be able to unite Nigerians if he is elected president?

“By the actions and utterances of people around Atiku, it should be clear to Wike and those with him that no agreement will be respected. They should stop seeking peace with Atiku and his men,” the group stated.