Former Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido, has warned that he will take legal action against the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) if he is not allowed to buy the nomination form to contest for the position of National Chairman at the party’s upcoming national convention.
The convention is scheduled to hold on November 15 and 16 in Ibadan, Oyo State.
Lamido made the threat while speaking to reporters in Abuja on Monday after his effort to get the form failed. He alleged that both the National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, and the National Organising Secretary, Umar Bature, were aware of the situation.
The PDP had, during its National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting on August 25, resolved to zone its 2027 presidential ticket to the South and the position of National Chairman to the North. Following this, leaders from the North further zoned the chairmanship slot to the North-West.
Over the weekend, Northern PDP governors, led by Adamawa State Governor Ahmadu Fintiri, endorsed former Minister of Special Duties, Tanimu Turaki, as their consensus candidate. However, some northern members loyal to Lamido disagreed with the endorsement, saying they were not consulted.
Lamido arrived at the PDP national secretariat in Abuja with his supporters around 11 a.m., but said he found no official available to sell the forms as most offices were locked. He argued that, according to party tradition, nomination forms should be available at the party headquarters.
Speaking on the issue, he said, “I came here to purchase my own form. That’s why I’m here. I went to the office of the National Organising Secretary where forms are normally sold, but it was locked. When I met him and the National Secretary, they both said they didn’t know where the forms were or how they were printed.”
Lamido said the situation was “strange,” noting that even the National Organising Secretary, who should oversee the process, had no access to his office.
He described the matter as a “family issue,” adding that he only followed the usual process by visiting the Wadata Plaza. He said if the forms were now handled by the convention committee led by Governor Fintiri, he might have to travel to Adamawa to get one.
“The closing date for sales of forms has been extended,” he said. “But any change of date or time must be approved by the NEC. It seems the NEC’s functions are being taken over by individuals. If I don’t get the form, I will go to court. The PDP must run according to its constitution and do the right thing.”
Lamido stressed that his intention was to strengthen the PDP and ensure it remained a united platform capable of defeating the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
He also rejected the governors’ consensus arrangement, saying it was reached without due consultation.
“If there are consultations, there can be consensus. But if there are no consultations, then we are not united. The zone I came from never met,” he said, explaining that a planned North-West meeting was preempted by another gathering fixed earlier.
Lamido maintained that unity and discipline within the PDP were key to winning future elections.