Lamido Accuses APC of Betraying Nigerians, Deepening Poverty

Alhaji Sule Lamido, former Jigawa State Governor and stalwart of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) of worsening Nigeria’s economic situation and subjecting citizens to unprecedented hardship.

Lamido made the accusation in Dutse during an expanded caucus meeting of the PDP, where he addressed party leaders, stakeholders, and supporters on the state of the nation and the future of the opposition party.

The elder statesman said the APC-led administrations of former President Muhammadu Buhari and current President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had failed to deliver on their promises to Nigerians. Instead of bringing prosperity and hope, he claimed, their policies have only increased poverty, widened inequality, and left the economy on the brink of collapse.

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“Since Buhari and now Tinubu, Nigerians are suffering. Poverty is everywhere, youths are jobless, and the economy is collapsing. They say they are fighting for Nigeria, but in reality, they only fight for themselves and their pockets,” Lamido declared to loud applause from PDP members present.

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The former governor described the APC’s nearly decade-long hold on power as a betrayal of Nigerians’ trust. He argued that the ruling party rode into office in 2015 on a wave of popular goodwill, promising change, security, and prosperity, but ended up leaving citizens worse off. According to him, the much-publicized fight against corruption under Buhari and Tinubu has turned out to be a façade that masks incompetence, selfishness, and greed.

Lamido, who has been in politics for more than four decades, drew on his experience to highlight what he called the moral decay in Nigeria’s leadership. He traced his political origins back to the People’s Redemption Party (PRP) of 1979, where he said he learnt the true essence of politics; integrity, sacrifice, and service to the people.

“I joined politics not because of what I would gain, but because of what we could build together for Nigerians. In those days, politics was about values and justice, not about who could grab the biggest share of the national cake,” he recalled.

He lamented that contemporary politics in Nigeria has been reduced to selfishness, insults, and the pursuit of personal wealth, warning that such tendencies threaten the survival of democracy. He urged PDP members at all levels to avoid these pitfalls and return to the basics of fairness, inclusiveness, and justice if the party hopes to win back the confidence of Nigerians.

“The PDP must distinguish itself. We must not copy the APC in its politics of selfishness and insults. Let us remain anchored in principles of justice and fairness. The Nigerian people are watching, and they are yearning for genuine leadership that will put the country first,” Lamido said.

He further stressed the importance of positioning the PDP as a credible alternative to the APC, noting that disillusioned citizens are desperate for a political platform that can rescue them from the current hardship.

“The PDP must rise to the occasion. Nigerians are losing faith in the APC every day because of hunger, insecurity, and lack of opportunities. We must be ready to present ourselves not just as another political party, but as the true hope of Nigeria. Our message should be clear: we are here to serve, not to exploit,” he stated.

Lamido’s remarks also touched on the growing frustrations among Nigerian youths. He observed that the younger generation, despite being highly skilled and energetic, has been left without jobs or meaningful opportunities to contribute to nation-building. He warned that the rising wave of youth unemployment could spiral into a social crisis if not urgently addressed.

According to him, the APC’s failure to create jobs or stabilize the economy has already triggered an alarming brain drain, as young Nigerians seek greener pastures abroad. “Our young people are leaving the country in droves. Doctors, engineers, even artisans are migrating because they no longer see hope here. This is tragic, and it is a direct consequence of APC’s misrule,” he lamented.

Lamido called on PDP leaders to take the frustrations of the youths seriously and develop policies that will address their aspirations. He said the PDP should make youth empowerment, job creation, and economic recovery the cornerstone of its campaign message ahead of future elections.

“We must not just criticize APC. We must show Nigerians what we will do differently. We must have a plan for jobs, for security, and for rebuilding our economy. That is how we will convince Nigerians that the PDP remains the only credible alternative,” he emphasized.

The expanded caucus meeting in Dutse, which attracted key stakeholders of the PDP in Jigawa and beyond, was seen as part of ongoing efforts to reposition the party for future electoral contests. Many speakers at the meeting echoed Lamido’s sentiments, stressing the urgency of unity within the PDP and the need to rebuild the trust of Nigerians.

Lamido’s voice carries significant weight within the PDP and the wider political space, given his long-standing contributions to Nigeria’s democracy. His call for a return to values of integrity, service, and fairness resonated with the gathering, with party members pledging to work towards restoring the PDP as the preferred choice of Nigerians.

As the APC government grapples with mounting criticism over economic hardship and insecurity, Lamido’s comments underscore the growing determination of the opposition to capitalize on public discontent. Whether the PDP can translate this momentum into electoral success remains to be seen.