Former Governor of Jigawa State and founding member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Sule Lamido, has launched a scathing critique of the All Progressives Congress (APC), describing it as a political formation driven by resentment, bitterness, and opportunism rather than ideology or national interest.

 

The criticism appears in Chapter 16 of his newly released autobiography, “Being True To Myself”, unveiled on May 13, 2025. On page 421, Lamido accuses the APC of lacking any genuine political foundation or purpose beyond the personal ambitions of its founders.

 

“I once explained to the public that APC was born out of anger, hatred, and revenge. It has never operated as a serious political platform,” Lamido wrote. “Its founding members were opportunists, treating politics as a business venture rather than a tool for national service.”

 

Recounting his dismay at the defection of some PDP members to the APC ahead of the 2015 general elections, Lamido said he rejected repeated invitations to join the new party during periods of internal PDP turmoil. He maintained that true leadership required commitment to rebuilding one’s party, not abandoning it for political convenience.

 

Tracing Nigeria’s political evolution, Lamido recalled the emergence of three major parties in 1999: the PDP, Alliance for Democracy (AD), and the All Peoples Party (APP). He argued that the APC’s roots lie in the failed coalitions of the AD and APP, which, he claimed, collapsed into irrelevance before re-emerging under a new guise.

 

He further criticized what he called the APC’s manufactured narrative around “Mr. Integrity,” a veiled reference to former President Muhammadu Buhari. According to Lamido, the party misleadingly elevated Buhari’s image while ignoring the legacies of Nigeria’s true icons of integrity, such as Tafawa Balewa, Ahmadu Bello, Aminu Kano, Obafemi Awolowo, Nnamdi Azikiwe, and General Murtala Mohammed.

 

“During his rallies in Kano, not once did Buhari recognize the legacy of Mallam Aminu Kano or General Murtala, despite their significance,” Lamido wrote.

 

Reflecting on his decision to remain in the PDP, Lamido said, “The honourable path was not to jump ship, but to stay and be part of the solution.”

 

Lamido’s autobiography has already sparked debate in political circles, reigniting conversations about the origins and trajectory of Nigeria’s ruling party and the ideological gaps in contemporary Nigerian politics.