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By Myke Agunwa
Former Jigawa State Governor and contender for the position of National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Sule Lamido, has faulted the handling of the party’s nomination process, threatening to go to court if he is not allowed to procure form.
Lamido, who spoke to journalists at the PDP National Secretariat, Wadata Plaza, Abuja on Monday, expressed frustration after failing to purchase his nomination form ahead of the party’s forthcoming national convention holding in Ibadan, Oyo State from 15 – 16th November, 2025. He said the development was shocking, especially as it involved the party’s highest administrative organ.
He claimed that the office of the National Organising Secretary(NoS), constitutionally responsible for the sale of nomination forms, was locked when he arrived. “I went to the office of the National Organising Secretary, which is normally the office where the forms are sold, but it was locked. I met him with the National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, and both of them said they had no idea where the forms are, not even how they were printed or the kind of forms they are,” Lamido said.
The former governor said it was “weird and worrisome” that those constitutionally designated to handle the process were being sidelined. “The custodian of the system, the National Organising Secretary, was locked out. They told me they had no idea what was going on. Later, I was informed that the forms were now under the custody of the Governor of Adamawa, Ahmadu Fintiri, who chairs the National Convention Organising Committee(NCOC). So, does that mean I now have to go to Adamawa to buy the form?” he queried.
Lamido dismissed claims that the sale of forms had closed, insisting that such a deadline could only be ratified by the National Executive Committee (NEC). “All decisions of the party must be approved by the NEC. But somehow, it seems the NEC’s functions have been taken over by individuals,” he stated.
Despite his grievances, Lamido described the situation as a “family affair,” saying internal differences should not overshadow the PDP’s unity and commitment to defeating the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2027.
“We may disagree as a family, but we’ll never fight. Our opponents are outside, the APC and their failed system. The PDP is still the only party that can rescue Nigeria, but we must first put our house in order,” he said.
When asked what action he would take if he is unable to obtain the form, Lamido declared: “If I don’t get the form, I’ll go to court, simple.”
He also dismissed reports that some PDP governors were unwilling to back his candidacy due to alleged ties with the African Democratic Congress (ADC). “They met me in PDP, for God’s sake. Where were they in 1998 when we fought for the party? We built this platform together. So, don’t bring up issues that are divisive,” he retorted.
Lamido further faulted the lack of consultation in efforts to produce consensus candidates across zones, saying his zone, the Northwest, was never properly convened. “We were supposed to meet on Wednesday, but a meeting was fixed for Tuesday to pre-empt our own. The zone never met, so how do you talk about consensus?” he asked.
The PDP, ahead of its national convention, has been grappling with internal disagreements over zoning and consensus arrangements. While some northern leaders endorsed former Minister of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, Kabiru Tanimu Turaki (SAN), as consensus candidate for the national chairmanship, several party leaders from the Northeast have rejected the move.
A faction of the party led by Umaru Bature, the party’s NoS, believed to be loyal to the Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has publicly opposed the endorsement of Turaki, insisting that the process was not inclusive and did not reflect the wider interest of the region. The group has instead thrown its weight behind Lamido, describing him as a “tested, loyal party leader with national appeal and deep institutional knowledge of the PDP.”
According to Bature’s group, Lamido’s long-standing commitment to the PDP since its founding in 1998, as well as his governance record in Jigawa State, makes him “the most credible bridge between the old guard and the younger generation within the party.”
Lamido, however, maintains that his interest is not driven by ambition but by the need to restore order and discipline in the party. “The PDP must return to its founding principles, organisation, internal democracy, and discipline. That’s the only way we can win and save Nigeria from the APC,” he said.
Despite the confusion surrounding the sale of nomination forms, Lamido expressed optimism that the party would eventually resolve its internal crisis. “It’s a family issue,” he said. “We’ll talk, we’ll argue, but at the end, we’ll unite — because PDP must not fail Nigeria.”