Former Jigawa State Governor, Alhaji Sule Lamido, has threatened to take legal action against the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over his inability to obtain the nomination form to contest for the position of National Chairman.
Lamido, a founding member of the PDP, told journalists in Abuja on Monday that his efforts to purchase the form were frustrated at the party’s national secretariat, Wadata Plaza, where key offices were under lock and key.
He alleged that the National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, and the National Organising Secretary, Umar Bature, were also denied access to the forms, describing the situation as “strange and undemocratic.”
“I came here to buy my nomination form as required by the party constitution.
But the office of the Organising Secretary, where the forms are usually sold, was locked.
Even the Secretary and the Organising Secretary themselves said they had no idea where the forms were being sold or how they were printed,” Lamido said.
The PDP had during its 102nd National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting on August 25 zoned its 2027 presidential ticket to the South and the National Chairmanship to the North.
Following the decision, Northern leaders reportedly micro-zoned the chairmanship position 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 (SAN), as the consensus candidate for the position.
However, Lamido and some other stakeholders from the North-West rejected the endorsement, saying they were not consulted.
“There can be no consensus without consultation. The North-West zone never met to discuss any candidate.
They even fixed another meeting to preempt ours,” Lamido added.
The former governor expressed disappointment that party procedures were allegedly being manipulated by individuals, stressing that only the NEC has the power to approve changes to timelines or procedures for the sale of nomination forms.
He maintained that his quest for the chairmanship position was driven by a desire to rebuild the PDP into a disciplined and united opposition capable of challenging the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
“If I don’t get the form, I’ll go to court, simple. The PDP must be organised, follow its constitution, and do the right thing at all times.
“If we don’t have an organised house, how do we confront the APC?” Lamido said.
He, however, described the issue as a “family matter,” expressing hope that the situation would be resolved amicably before the convention.