Mallam Aminu Ringim
A fierce political row has erupted in Jigawa as the PDP fires back at NNPP’s Aminu Ringim over his attacks on ex-Governor Sule Lamido.
The clash, sparked by revelations in Lamido’s newly launched autobiography Being True to Myself, has seen Ringim threaten to expose alleged secrets about his former political mentor, accusing Lamido of character assassination and historical distortion.
Speaking at a gathering in Taura Local Government Area, Ringim attacked the former governor for his portrayal in a chapter of the book titled Intrigues, Lies and Fetishism, in which Lamido recounted rumors that Ringim used diabolical powers to control him while serving as Chief of Staff.
The tale, which included wild allegations of a black donkey being buried on Government House grounds, was dismissed by Lamido as laughable and baseless—but it clearly struck a nerve with Ringim.
“If he continues to defame me, I may be forced to reveal things that will expose him to public shame,” Ringim declared, in what many observers interpreted as an open threat.
But the PDP has wasted no time in firing back. In a statement signed by the party’s Jigawa State Publicity Secretary, Umar Kiyari, the PDP described Ringim’s outburst as a “desperate cry for attention” following his dismal performance in the last elections.
“It is quite unfortunate—and shameful—that someone like Alhaji Ringim, who has been around since the creation of Jigawa, could only secure a little over 35,000 votes across the state,” Kiyari said. “The people of Jigawa have clearly rejected him and his party. His current tour of local governments is nothing but a salvage operation for his sinking political boat.”
According to the PDP, Ringim’s attack on Lamido is an attempt to rewrite history and deflect responsibility for his political decline.
The party also criticized him for dragging Lamido’s personal and spiritual beliefs into the public arena with insinuations of witchcraft and occultism.
“Jigawa people are politically enlightened and not fooled by such backward tales. Ringim should focus on rebuilding whatever is left of his political relevance rather than spreading falsehoods about those who once gave him a platform,” the statement read.
Lamido, for his part, maintains that his mention of Ringim in the book was simply part of a larger reflection on his years in office and the political intrigues he faced. In the chapter, he recounted how he was repeatedly warned about Ringim’s supposed supernatural influence but was never shaken—stating clearly that his only concern was whether public funds were being stolen.
“The banks confirmed that not a single kobo was missing. So I told him: go ahead with your wizardry,” Lamido wrote with irony.