President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was ably represented at the public presentation of the autobiography of former Jigawa State Governor, Alhaji Sule Lamido, held in Abuja on Monday. The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris Malagi, stood in for the President at the event, which brought together a cross-section of Nigeria’s political elite, academics, and civil society.
The book, titled “Being True to Myself,” chronicles Lamido’s personal journey through Nigeria’s complex political terrain, tracing his emergence from grassroots activism to his years in national politics, culminating in his two-term tenure as governor of Jigawa State from 2007 to 2015. The publication also delves into his ideological convictions, rooted in the political philosophy of the late Aminu Kano, whose influence shaped much of Lamido’s approach to governance and public service.
In a goodwill message delivered on behalf of President Tinubu, the Honorable Minister of Information described Sule Lamido as a “committed nationalist and principled democrat” whose contributions to Nigeria’s political development cannot be overlooked. He said the launch of Lamido’s autobiography was not only a personal milestone but also a significant contribution to the country’s historical archives, as it offers insight into the dynamics of Nigeria’s democratic evolution from the perspective of an insider.
“President Tinubu acknowledges the courage and candour with which the author has laid bare his thoughts, experiences, and convictions. This is a valuable offering for future generations seeking to understand the paths taken—and sometimes missed—on Nigeria’s journey to nationhood,” the Minister stated.
The ceremony attracted dignitaries including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Senate President Bukola Saraki, and several former and serving governors, who hailed Lamido for his honesty and enduring relevance in Nigeria’s political discourse. Many of the attendees praised the former governor’s consistency in standing by his principles even when it was politically inconvenient.
In his remarks, Alhaji Sule Lamido noted that the autobiography was borne out of a desire to tell his story in his own words, without embellishment or distortion. He emphasized that “being true to oneself” is a value increasingly rare in today’s political space and encouraged Nigerians, particularly the youth, to engage politics with sincerity, not opportunism.
Lamido, a founding member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), also used the occasion to reflect on the current state of the nation, calling for greater national unity, justice, and the rekindling of democratic values that place people at the center of governance.
The book presentation not only served as a reunion of political heavyweights but also ignited renewed conversation about leadership, legacy, and the power of truth in Nigerian public life.
