Sule Lamido Claims APC Is A PDP Offshoot During Contested National Convention Amid Leadership Recognition Dispute

Former Governor Sule Lamido asserts the APC is a PDP offshoot and calls for defectors to return during the 2026 PDP National Convention in Abuja.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 30, 2026, 9:58 AM EDT

Source: The information in this article was sourced from Naija News

The Ideological Reclaiming Of The Ruling Party

Former Governor Sule Lamido has stirred political discourse by characterizing the ruling All Progressives Congress as a functional derivative of the Peoples Democratic Party. Speaking at the PDP 2026 National Convention in Abuja, Lamido argued that the foundational legacy of the opposition party continues to underpin the current administration's leadership structure. He specifically noted that with the notable exception of President Bola Tinubu, the vast majority of high ranking APC officials were originally groomed and empowered by the PDP. This narrative seeks to reframe the current political landscape not as a clash of distinct ideologies, but as a struggle within a shared heritage of Nigerian governance.

An Emotional Appeal For The Return Of Political Defectors

In a bid to consolidate opposition strength, Lamido issued a passionate plea to former members who have migrated to other parties over the last decade. He urged these individuals to set aside personal egos and return to the party that originally provided them with platforms to serve as presidents, governors, and ministers. According to Lamido, the PDP remains the only credible alternative for Nigeria's democratic survival, and the party is willing to forgive past grievances in the interest of national unity. This appeal highlights a strategic focus on reconciliation as a primary tool for reclaiming the party's former dominant status in the Nigerian political theater.

Legal Challenges And Procedural Disputes Over Party Leadership

The convention was not without internal friction, as Lamido himself is currently embroiled in a legal battle regarding the party’s chairmanship. While he advocated for unity, reports emerged that Lamido was barred from participating in the specific convention processes that produced the Kabiru Turaki led National Working Committee. A party chieftain, Umar Sani, explained during a television interview that Lamido failed to follow the established protocols for obtaining chairmanship forms. This procedural dispute has led the former governor to seek redress in the Federal High Court, claiming his fundamental rights to contest for party leadership were suppressed by the current administration.