Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State has said the ongoing crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, is not solely about former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, but a collective ego clash among party members.

Speaking during a media parley with journalists in Gusau on Wednesday, Lawal noted that the internal crisis plaguing the PDP stems from personal interests and power struggles.

“Everybody has their own issue; it’s not just about Atiku Abubakar. It’s beyond him,” he said.

“It’s an internal problem within the PDP, and we are making conscious efforts to address it. I think it’s about people’s egos, everybody, no exception,” he added.

While some party members have accused President Bola Tinubu of allegedly influencing the PDP crisis from outside, Governor Lawal dismissed the notion that external forces are solely to blame.

When asked if he considered himself part of the problem, the governor responded candidly: “Yes.”

On the state of Nigeria’s electoral process, Lawal expressed hope that free and fair elections are still achievable in the country despite existing systemic flaws.

Citing his own experience in Zamfara, he said, “I will say yes because I experienced it. With all the powerful people and the might of the Federal Government, I still won.

“It was a free and fair election. That’s how I became the first elected PDP governor in Zamfara State. So yes, it can happen again, it’s only a matter of time.”

Lawal’s remarks come amid ongoing efforts by the PDP leadership to reconcile aggrieved members and reposition the party ahead of the 2027 elections.