Lamido Hails Dalha’s PDP Primary Victory

Former Jigawa State Governor and ex-Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sule Lamido, has congratulated Muhammad Bello Dalhatu following his victory in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship primaries in Kano State, while calling on aggrieved party members to embrace reconciliation and unity ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Speaking to journalists in Kano, shortly after the conclusion of the primaries, Lamido described the exercise as a critical moment for the PDP and urged all factions within the party to place collective interest above personal ambition.
Dalhatu emerged winner of the keenly contested primary after polling 2,233 votes to defeat his closest rival, Mohammed Sani Abacha, son of late Head of State, Gen. Sani Abacha, who secured 749 votes.
Reacting to the outcome, Lamido praised the conduct of the exercise and said the PDP must now redirect its energy toward reclaiming Kano State in the next election cycle.
“This victory belongs to the entire party, not just one individual,” Lamido said.
“It is time for healing, reconciliation and serious preparation for the bigger task ahead. The PDP remains Nigeria’s strongest opposition platform, and every stakeholder must be carried along as we move forward.”
The elder statesman described Dalhatu as a “destiny child” with the political capacity to reshape the contest in Kano if the opposition remains united and focused.
According to him, the coming political battle in Kano would require discipline, internal cohesion and strategic mobilisation capable of confronting what he termed entrenched political interests controlling the state.
Lamido also appealed to aspirants dissatisfied with the outcome of the primary to pursue peace and dialogue rather than deepen internal divisions that could weaken the PDP ahead of the governorship election.
The Chairman of the PDP Kano State Governorship Primary Election Committee, Umar Hadejia, had earlier declared Dalhatu winner of the exercise, describing the process as peaceful, transparent and credible.
However, the primary outcome has already triggered fresh legal and political tension within the party.
Mohammed Sani Abacha rejected the result and headed to the Supreme Court, seeking to overturn an earlier Court of Appeal judgment that nullified his nomination and to restore his status as PDP candidate.
The latest dispute has revived memories of the PDP’s turbulent 2023 governorship cycle in Kano, which witnessed prolonged parallel primaries and legal battles involving Abacha and Sadiq Wali over the party’s authentic candidacy.
Political observers say the renewed internal crisis could test the PDP’s ability to manage post-primary grievances and maintain stability in one of Nigeria’s most politically strategic states.
Despite the brewing tension, Lamido insisted the opposition party still possesses the structure, history and national reach to reposition itself as a formidable force ahead of the next elections—provided leaders and supporters avoid actions capable of weakening party unity.