Thousands of PDP members in Jigawa State on Sunday endorsed Mustapha Sule Lamido as the party’s governorship candidate for the 2027 election, as he pledged to “rebuild Jigawa into a state that works for all.”
The opposition Peoples Democratic Party conducted its governorship primary election in the state, attracting members and supporters from the 287 wards across Jigawa to Dutse, the state capital.
Delegates and party faithful reportedly trooped to the venue of the exercise, held at the M-Town Centre in Dutse, for the affirmation of Lamido as the sole governorship aspirant ahead of the 2027 general election.
The exercise was monitored by representatives of the PDP national headquarters, officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission, security agencies, and other stakeholders.
In his acceptance speech shortly after the affirmation, Lamido, son of former Jigawa State governor, Sule Lamido, expressed gratitude to party members for the confidence reposed in him.
“I stand before you today with a heart full of gratitude and a deep sense of responsibility,” he said.
He said he humbly accepted the mandate as the governorship flag bearer of the Peoples Democratic Party for the 2027 election.
Lamido, who also contested under the PDP in 2023, recalled that the party campaigned on the ideals of unity, hope, reform, and the promise of a better Jigawa.
“Though we did not secure victory then, we earned the confidence of hundreds of thousands of our people and laid a strong foundation,” he stated.
According to him, the party returned to the race because the challenges confronting the state, including hardship, poor governance, and what he described as insensitive leadership, still persist.
The PDP candidate reaffirmed his commitment to the vision outlined in his 2023 action plan, which he said covered unity, economic growth, youth empowerment, education, healthcare, social revival, and institutional reform.
“These are not mere promises; they are a contract with the people, and I intend to see them through,” Lamido said.
He described the condition of the state as troubling, citing declining standards in education, a struggling healthcare system, rising hardship, and governance that had fallen short of expectations.
“But let me be clear: we are not here to lament; we are here to fix it,” he declared.
Lamido added that the mission of the party was to restore competence in governance, dignity in public service, and hope to the people.
“We are here to rebuild Jigawa into a state that works for all, where leadership is accountable, resources are managed responsibly, and opportunities are accessible to every citizen,” he said.
He stressed that his acceptance of the candidacy was not driven by personal ambition but by a collective resolve to rescue, rebuild, and reposition the state for sustainable development.
The candidate urged party members to remain united, noting that victory in 2027 would require commitment, discipline, and a shared belief in a better future.
“To the people of Jigawa: I hear you, I see you, and I feel your pains. Give me the opportunity to serve you,” he appealed.
Lamido also appreciated the leadership of the party at both the national and state levels for ensuring a peaceful primary process and congratulated other candidates who emerged during the exercise.
“Together, we will rise and rebuild our dear state,” he concluded.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Electoral Committee sent by the PDP national headquarters, Isah Ahmed, who supervised the exercise and announced the result, declared Lamido the consensus candidate of the party.
“Following the affirmation by PDP members through a voice vote, I hereby declare Mustapha Sule Lamido the duly affirmed governorship candidate of our great party for Jigawa State,” Ahmed said.
