Former Jigawa State governor, Sule Lamido, Former Jigawa governor threatens legal action as party tensions rise over consensus deal and internal power tussle ahead of Ibadan convention
The unfolding crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has taken a dramatic turn as former Jigawa State governor, Sule Lamido, accused the party leadership of deliberately blocking his bid to contest for the national chairmanship position. Lamido, visibly frustrated after failing to secure his nomination form, described the process as “manipulated” and vowed to seek legal redress.
The development has cast a shadow over the opposition party’s upcoming national convention, slated for November 15 and 16 in Ibadan, Oyo State, and further exposed widening cracks within the PDP’s power blocs. The endorsement of former Minister of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, Kabiru Tanimu Turaki (SAN), as the consensus chairmanship candidate has drawn backlash from several northern stakeholders who insist the decision lacked proper consultation.
Speaking to journalists in Abuja, Lamido claimed he was denied access to nomination forms at the party’s secretariat and accused the National Convention Organising Committee (NCOC), chaired by Governor Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa State, of mishandling the process.
“I believe in consensus, but there must be consultations,” he said. “The North West zone never met. We were supposed to meet last Wednesday; the Zamfara governor even booked the hall at Hilton. But they fixed another meeting a day earlier to pre-empt ours. That’s the problem.”
Lamido revealed that upon visiting Wadata Plaza, the traditional venue for form sales, he found the office of the National Organising Secretary locked. “I met him and the National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, and both said they didn’t know where the forms were. It’s strange that the custodians of the process were being locked out,” he said.
He further alleged that the forms were in the custody of Governor Fintiri, questioning why aspirants should travel to Adamawa to obtain them. “If I don’t get the form, I’ll go to court. Simple,” Lamido declared, though he maintained that the crisis was still a “family matter” that should not distract the PDP from its goal of defeating the ruling APC.
However, the PDP leadership dismissed Lamido’s outburst as a needless distraction, insisting the convention preparations remain on course. The Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Ibrahim Abdullahi, stated that the party would not allow “disgruntled elements” to derail its progress.
“We are focused on moving forward,” he said. “The date for the sale and submission of forms was announced, and the deadline was October 22. Anyone coming after that is engaging in drama.” Abdullahi described Lamido’s visit to Wadata Plaza as a “publicity stunt,” asserting that all forms were officially sold and submitted at Legacy House.
Meanwhile, the NCOC has postponed the screening exercise for chairmanship aspirants initially scheduled for October 28, citing “unforeseen circumstances.” Governor Fintiri, in a statement, promised to announce a new date soon and assured members of a “credible and hitch-free convention.”
While Lamido struggled to secure his form, Turaki formally submitted his completed documents at Legacy House. His spokesperson, Mallam Umar Sani, confirmed the submission and dismissed Lamido’s complaints as “misguided.”
“If Sule Lamido went to Wadata Plaza looking for forms, he went to the wrong place,” Sani said. “The party clearly stipulated when and where forms should be obtained and submitted.”
Sani defended the consensus process, arguing that PDP governors have always played decisive roles in selecting national chairmen since 1998. “Apart from Solomon Lar, every PDP chairman emerged through the influence of sitting presidents or governors,” he noted.
Sources within the party revealed that Turaki’s emergence followed a high-level meeting of northern stakeholders in Abuja, attended by Governors Bala Mohammed (Bauchi), Caleb Mutfwang (Plateau), Dauda Lawal (Zamfara), and Ahmadu Fintiri (Adamawa), alongside senior party figures like Bukola Saraki, Prof. Jerry Gana, and Abba Moro.
At the meeting, former governors Ibrahim Shekarau and Ahmed Makarfi were said to have initially indicated interest before Makarfi withdrew. When Shekarau and Turaki refused to step down for each other, the governors reportedly settled for Turaki as the consensus candidate.
However, not everyone is on board. The camp loyal to FCT Minister Nyesom Wike has reportedly shifted its backing to former Benue governor Samuel Ortom, arguing that the chairmanship should remain in the North Central zone since former chairman Iyorchia Ayu, also from Benue, did not complete his term.
Wike has openly criticised the governors’ consensus arrangement, calling it a “booby trap” that could destroy the PDP. “The way these present governors are doing, they will bury this party,” he said, accusing them of sidelining key stakeholders.
Party elders have urged restraint and reconciliation to prevent the situation from escalating further. Former PDP National Secretary, Ibrahim Tsauri, stressed that internal disagreements were a normal part of democratic politics but called for the immediate formation of a reconciliation committee.
“In a democracy, issues like this are normal. The majority will have their way, but the minority will have their say,” Tsauri noted. “What is needed now is unity. Once the leadership stabilises after the convention, many who left the PDP will return.”
He expressed optimism that with credible leadership, the party would regain its footing and strengthen its base ahead of future elections. “The moment Turaki consolidates his efforts, many members will come back. What the PDP needs most now is reconciliation, not recrimination,” he said.
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