A socio-political group in the North, Northern Alternative Forum (NAF), has congratulated former Governor of Jigawa State and one time Minister of Foreign Affairs, Alhaji Sule Lamido, on his 76th birthday, describing him as a courageous and visionary leader.
Lamido turned 76 years on August 30, 2024.
In a statement signed by it’s National Chairman, Mallam Gidado Ibrahim, the forum, popularly referred to as northern mafias, commended Lamido’s “unwavering courage and consistency in speaking truth to power, even in the face of adversity.”
NAF acknowledged Lamido’s recent remarks about President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as a self-made politician who has earned his place in history through hard work and determination, saying it is an example of the former governor’s honesty and integrity.
“Your acknowledgment of President Tinubu’s political prowess and the challenges ahead for the opposition in 2027 demonstrates your deep understanding of the political landscape and your willingness to speak truth, even when it is not popular,” the statement noted.
The forum however disagreed with Lamido’s claim that Tinubu is an emperor, enjoining him to join hand with the president in moving the nation forward.
Ibrahim, a dual prince from the North East, said, “We have noted Alhaji Lamido’s position on His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, especially his political sagacity and courage. But we urge the elder statesman to have a rethink of his position on President Tinubu’s governance style, which is gradually wriggling the North, particularly the North West and North East zones, out of poverty.
“President Tinubu is working hard to address the current economic and security challenges in the region and the entire country, and we expect prominent sons from the region like Lamido to give him all the support he needs. We hope that Alhaji Lamido will consider dumping PDP, a party that laid the foundation for suffering in Nigeria during their 16-year misrule and join the winning team of President Tinubu renewed hope administration to wriggle Nigeria out of poverty, insecurity and economic strangulation,”
The forum’s chairman also acknowledged Lamido’s leadership and vision, saying they have inspired countless individuals, adding that his contributions to the development of Jigawa State and Nigeria are immeasurable.
He described him as a unity symbol for the progressives who works for the unity of Nigeria.
“We wish you a joyous birthday celebration, surrounded by loved ones, and many more years of service to our great nation,” the statement concluded.
It would be recalled that, Sule Lamido, along with President Tinubu were amongst prominent pro-democracy activists, who played significant roles in pilling pressure on the military class, culminating in the return to democracy in 1999.
Also, as part of the pressure group, he was a prominent member of G34, along with political leaders like late former Vice President Alex Ekwueme, late Chief Solomon Dushep Lar, which later became G-18 and ultimately metamorphosed into the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
He was elected the first executive governor of the New World State (1999-2007). Lamido set the stage for the development of the state, created on August 27, 1991, out the old Kano State.
