The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is again battling internal unrest as former Jigawa State Governor and party chieftain, Alhaji Sule Lamido, has threatened legal action against the party for allegedly preventing him from purchasing the nomination form to contest for the position of National Chairman.
Lamido, one of the PDP’s founding members, expressed anger at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja on Monday after his attempt to obtain the form was “deliberately frustrated,” despite arriving with supporters to make the purchase.
According to him, when he approached the National Organising Secretary, Umar Bature, and the National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, both claimed ignorance of the availability and location of the forms.
“I came here to buy my form. If I don’t get it, I will go to court. The PDP must operate by its own constitution,” Lamido declared.
He described the situation as “strange and unacceptable,” insisting that by the party’s long-standing tradition, nomination forms are always sold at the national headquarters.
“I met offices locked and officials who said they knew nothing about the forms. This is unusual and worrisome. The PDP must return to its traditions and constitutional procedures,” he added.
The controversy comes ahead of the PDP National Convention slated for November 15 and 16 in Ibadan, Oyo State.
At its 102nd National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting in August, the party zoned its 2027 presidential ticket to the South, while the National Chairmanship position was allotted to the North, later micro-zoned to the North-West.
Over the weekend, Northern PDP governors, led by Adamawa State Governor Ahmadu Fintiri, endorsed former Minister of Special Duties, Kabiru Tanimu Turaki (SAN), as the consensus candidate — a decision Lamido’s camp swiftly rejected, describing it as undemocratic and lacking consultation.
“If there are consultations, there can be consensus,” Lamido said. “But there were no meetings in our zone. Scheduled consultations were preempted. This is not unity.”
Amid reports that FCT Minister Nyesom Wike is backing former Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom for the same position, the unfolding power tussle has further deepened divisions within the opposition party.
Despite his frustration, Lamido urged members to view the development as a “family disagreement” rather than a full-blown crisis, warning that internal injustice could jeopardize the PDP’s fortunes in future elections.
“If we fight ourselves, we will lose. Our opponents are outside — in the APC. For us to win, we must organize ourselves and restore unity, fairness, and discipline within the PDP,” he cautioned.
The incident underscores growing unease within the main opposition party as it struggles to maintain cohesion and credibility ahead of the 2027 general elections.
