Lamido Threatens Legal Action Over PDP Nomination Form

***Decries Confusion and Calls for Unity

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is facing fresh internal turmoil as former Jigawa State Governor and party chieftain, Alhaji Sule Lamido, has threatened to take legal action against the party for allegedly denying him access to purchase the nomination form to contest for the position of National Chairman.
Lamido, a founding member of the PDP, expressed outrage 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,” noting that by the party’s long-standing tradition, nomination forms are always sold at the national headquarters. He called the confusion surrounding the process a “bad signal” for internal democracy in the party.
“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 said.
The controversy comes ahead of the PDP National Convention scheduled 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 and the National Chairmanship position 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.
Lamido’s camp, however, rejected the endorsement, describing it as undemocratic and lacking in 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 of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike backing former Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom for the same position, the internal contest has further exposed deep divisions within the opposition party.
Lamido, however, urged members to treat the issue as a “family disagreement” rather than a factional crisis, warning that internal injustice could weaken the PDP’s chances 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 said.
The unfolding episode underscored mounting tension within the party as it struggles to maintain cohesion and credibility ahead of the 2027 general elections.