GUSAU — Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, has said that the ongoing crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) goes beyond the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, and is deeply rooted in ego clashes among members — himself included.
Speaking during an interactive session with journalists on Thursday, Governor Lawal acknowledged that internal power struggles and personality conflicts have plagued the party, stressing that no single individual should be blamed for the turmoil.
“Everybody has their own issue; it is not just about Atiku Abubakar; it is beyond him,” Lawal stated. “It is an internal problem within the PDP, and we are making a conscious effort. I think it is about people’s egos — everybody, no exception.”
When pressed further, the governor openly admitted to being part of the problem, saying, “Yes,” when asked if he was also caught in the ego-driven dynamics.
Despite the internal discord, Lawal expressed optimism about Nigeria’s democratic process. Citing his own emergence as Zamfara’s first elected PDP governor, he said free and fair elections are still possible in Nigeria.
“There will still be a free and fair election. That was what got me elected as the governor of Zamfara. I was the first elected PDP governor in the state. So, it was a free and fair election, and I believe it will happen again. It’s a matter of time,” he said.
His remarks come amid renewed scrutiny of the PDP’s internal cohesion, especially as the party begins to look ahead to the 2027 general elections.
