Former Jigawa State governor, Sule Lamido, has threatened to take legal action against the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) if he is prevented from purchasing the nomination form to contest the position of national chairman.
Lamido, who officially declared his intention to run on Monday, told journalists at the PDP national headquarters that party officials claimed ignorance about the availability of the forms. He said when he visited the office of the national organising secretary, Umar Bature—who is statutorily responsible for handling the sale of forms—the office was locked. Bature, alongside the party’s national secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, reportedly told him they did not know where the forms were or how they were being distributed.
According to Lamido, he was later informed that the forms were under the control of Ahmadu Fintiri, Governor of Adamawa State 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,” Lamido declared.
Describing the situation as “unfortunate,” Lamido criticised what he called secrecy within the party’s processes, warning that such practices undermine internal democracy.
He dismissed claims that some PDP governors had rejected his candidature over alleged ties with the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
“Where were they when we fought for the party all through the last 25 years? They all met me in the PDP,” he said, urging party members to avoid divisive narratives.
Lamido also warned that the PDP risks weakening its institutional structures ahead of the 2027 general elections if it continues to disregard its constitution and internal procedures.
His remarks come amid rising tension over the party’s chairmanship race. Northern PDP leaders recently endorsed former minister Kabiru Turaki as a consensus candidate. The decision has been rejected by some northwest stakeholders who argued that they were excluded from the process.
A lawsuit seeking to halt the planned PDP national convention is scheduled for hearing on October 31.
