Former governor of Jigawa State, Alhaji Sule Lamido, has threatened legal action over his inability to purchase a form to contest for the position of National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Lamido, who could not obtain the form at the PDP National Headquarters on Monday morning, expressed frustration over the development.
Addressing journalists alongside his supporters, Lamido stated that he was fully prepared to contest for the chairmanship at the party’s elective National Convention scheduled for November 15 and 16 in Ibadan, Oyo State.
“I went to the office of the national organising secretary, which is normally where the forms are sold, and the office was locked,” he said.
“I met him with the secretary of the party, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, and both of them said they had no idea where the forms were or even how they were printed. So, I found it a little weird that the custodian of the system is also being locked out.”
Lamido said he later learned that the forms were now under the control of Ahmadu Fintiri, governor of Adamawa and chairman of the party’s National Convention Organising Committee (NCOC).
“So, for me to buy the form, I have to go to Adamawa? If I don’t get the form, I’ll go to court. Simple,” he declared.
The former governor described the situation as “unfortunate,” insisting that the PDP should not operate in secrecy or exclude committed members from its processes.
He dismissed speculations that some governors had rejected his candidacy over alleged links with the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
“Where were they when we fought for the party all through the last 25 years? Don’t bring up divisive issues. I don’t want to lose my composure. They met me in the PDP — all of them,” he said.
Lamido also condemned what he called the “growing disregard for internal party procedures,” warning that the PDP’s internal democracy was under threat ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“The PDP should be able to organise its own house. The only way we can win is by having a party that is disciplined. If we don’t follow our constitution and procedures, how do we win elections?” Lamido asked.
Earlier, in a post on his verified Facebook page, Lamido announced his plan to contest for the chairmanship.
“By the grace of God, I shall today, Monday, 27th October 2025, by 11 a.m., be at Wadata Plaza, the national headquarters of our great party, the Peoples Democratic Party, to purchase the nomination form to run for the office of National Chairman,” he wrote.
The PDP’s planned national convention has been dogged by internal crises and litigation over the adoption of a “consensus candidate” for the chairmanship.
Northern PDP stakeholders recently endorsed Kabiru Turaki, a former Minister of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, as their consensus candidate for the top position at a meeting held in Abuja.
Those present included Bala Mohammed of Bauchi, Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau, Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa, Dauda Lawal of Zamfara, and acting PDP National Chairman Umar Damagum. Also in attendance were Bukola Saraki, Jerry Gana, Abba Moro, and Ibrahim Shekarau.
Although the position was micro-zoned to the North-West, some PDP stakeholders from the zone rejected Turaki’s selection, arguing they were excluded from the meeting where the decision was made.
Meanwhile, a suit seeking to halt the PDP convention is set for hearing on October 31.
