Sule Lamido vows court action over PDP National Chairmanship nomination form controversy, insists PDP must restore discipline, unity, and fairness before convention.
Former Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido, has issued a stern warning to the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) leadership, threatening legal action if denied access to purchase the nomination form for the PDP National Chairmanship ahead of the forthcoming convention in Ibadan.
Lamido, one of the party’s founding members, arrived at the PDP National Secretariat in Abuja on Monday morning intending to buy the nomination form but was informed that the National Organising Secretary was unaware of how many forms were printed or sold.
His frustration grew as he described the situation as unacceptable and contrary to democratic principles within the party.
Visibly displeased, Lamido said, “If I am not able to get the form, I will go to court. Simple.” His declaration has intensified concerns about the level of coordination and transparency in the management of the PDP National Chairmanship race.
Lamido rejected reports that former Minister of Special Duties, Kabiru Turaki, had been chosen as a consensus candidate for the PDP National Chairmanship position, describing the process as flawed and undemocratic.
“Consensus? If there are consultations, there can be consensus. But if there are no consultations, then we are not united,” he said, stressing that genuine consensus can only emerge through open dialogue and equal participation.
According to him, the Northwest Zone of the party, from which he hails, never held a proper meeting to discuss a common position. “We were scheduled to meet on Wednesday at the Transcorp Hilton, but a new meeting was pre-emptively fixed for Tuesday. The zone never met; that’s the real problem,” Lamido explained.
He said that unity cannot be forced, warning that any attempt to impose a candidate could further fracture the PDP’s fragile internal structure.
Lamido emphasized that the PDP must urgently restore discipline, unity, and internal democracy if it hopes to regain public trust and effectively challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
“The PDP must organise itself, follow its constitution, and uphold its founding values,” he said. “Without discipline and order, how can we win elections? How can a divided party defeat a ruling party?”
He added that the party’s success depends on its ability to present a united front and credible leadership at the national level. “My main concern is to rebuild the PDP into a stable, united family capable of saving Nigeria and Nigerians from the APC,” he noted.
Lamido’s remarks underline his long-standing advocacy for internal reforms and his belief that the PDP National Chairmanship contest should be an open, transparent process reflecting the will of the members rather than the preferences of a few political elites.
Responding to questions about the role of the National Convention Organising Committee (NCOC), Lamido said he was not aware that the committee had taken over the responsibility of selling nomination forms.
“It’s a family affair; there’s no controversy. But by tradition, I should know where to buy the form. If they are now under the Convention Committee, then I’ll find out where,” he said. “Fintiri is said to be holding the forms — do I have to go to Adamawa to buy one?”
His remarks reflect a growing frustration among senior members who believe that critical functions are being handled without proper communication. The confusion, according to analysts, could weaken public confidence in the party’s ability to conduct a credible national convention.
The former governor also refuted claims that PDP governors were unwilling to support his ambition due to alleged links with the African Democratic Congress (ADC). He described the accusations as false and divisive.
“The governors met me in the PDP, for God’s sake. Where were they in 1998 when we founded the party?” Lamido asked. “I have been consistent for 25 years. Don’t bring up divisive and misleading issues.”
He said that personal attacks and misinformation would only harm the PDP’s image at a time when unity and focus were urgently needed ahead of the PDP National Chairmanship convention.
Meanwhile, senior PDP officials — National Organising Secretary Umar Bature and National Secretary Senator Samuel Anyanwu — have distanced themselves from the form sale process, alleging that their constitutional duties had been usurped by the Convention Committee.
Anyanwu, who is also an aspirant, said he had no idea how many forms were printed or the colour of the forms. He acknowledged that the zoning committee had agreed that all northern positions should remain in the North and southern positions in the South but denied any micro-zoning to the South West.
Similarly, Bature insisted that selling nomination forms for elective positions was the sole responsibility of his office and that any parallel process undermined the integrity of the PDP’s internal democratic framework.
The National Convention Organising Committee (NCOC) has suspended the screening of aspirants initially scheduled for Tuesday, October 28, 2025, citing unforeseen circumstances.
In a statement issued by Governor Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa State, who chairs the committee, the PDP assured that a new date for the screening exercise would be announced soon.
Party insiders suggest the postponement may be linked to the ongoing disagreement over the sale of nomination forms and the controversy surrounding the PDP National Chairmanship contest.
Analysts view Lamido’s bold stance as a test of the PDP’s commitment to fairness, inclusivity, and democratic values. His insistence on a transparent process could influence how future leadership contests are handled.
Whether he eventually secures the PDP National Chairmanship nomination form or not, Lamido’s challenge has already sparked a broader conversation within the PDP about accountability and reform.
His determination reflects the frustrations of many party loyalists who believe that the PDP must clean its house if it hopes to regain national prominence.
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