Former Governor of Jigawa State, Alhaji Sule Lamido, has revealed why he pleaded with the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua to avoid a political confrontation with his predecessor, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo.
In his newly launched autobiography titled “Being True To Myself”, Lamido recalled two key incidents that gave the impression Yar’Adua might be distancing himself from Obasanjo, who was instrumental in his emergence as president.
The book, unveiled on May 13, 2025, provides insight into the tense political atmosphere that followed the transition from Obasanjo’s administration to Yar’Adua’s.
Lamido narrated that the first sign came during a National Assembly debate on the controversial $16 billion National Integrated Power Project (NIPP), which was initiated during Obasanjo’s tenure.
“I drew Yar’Adua’s attention to the debate in the House of Representatives. It wasn’t led by an opposition member but by a prominent PDP figure from Katsina, close to the President. The message being passed to Nigerians was that Obasanjo mismanaged the funds. But later events proved otherwise,” Lamido said.
He said Yar’Adua’s response was blunt: “It is an issue being discussed by an independent arm of government.”
The second incident, Lamido said, was more personal. While in office in Dutse, he received a phone call from President Yar’Adua’s Chief Security Officer, Tilde, who sarcastically asked if he was “in Ota with your President,” referring to Obasanjo.
Shocked, Lamido responded harshly and threatened to report him. Tilde, in a bid to calm him, then disclosed that a petition had been filed against Lamido and that he had the power to suppress it. Lamido strongly suspected the petition came from former IGP Mohammed Ali Ringim.
Upset by the unfolding events, Lamido flew to Abuja and confronted the CSO in his office, expressing his anger in the presence of other presidential staff.
He then met President Yar’Adua directly. “Consumed by emotion, I nearly went on my knees and pleaded with him not to fight Obasanjo,” Lamido wrote.
According to him, he reminded Yar’Adua of Obasanjo’s crucial role in securing his presidency. “It is neither in our culture nor religion to betray someone who stood by you in your hour of need,” he said.
Yar’Adua, in response, asked his ADC, Lt. Col. Mustapha, to confirm his instructions concerning Obasanjo. The ADC confirmed that the President had authorised full cooperation with Obasanjo on all matters.
Satisfied with the response, Lamido said he thanked the President and left, comforted.
