ABUJA: Fresh cracks may be emerging within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ahead of its national convention as former Jigawa State Governor, Alhaji Sule Lamido, has threatened legal action against the party for allegedly denying him access to the nomination and expression of interest forms for the National Chairmanship position.
Lamido, who arrived at the PDP National Secretariat in Abuja on Monday to purchase the forms, expressed frustration that no official could account for the whereabouts of the documents or clarify the process for obtaining them.
“If I am not able to get the form, I will go to court, simply,” the visibly aggrieved Lamido told journalists after visiting the offices of key party officials.
The development comes amid growing discontent among party chieftains over allegations of poor coordination and lack of transparency by the National Convention Organising Committee (NCOC) ahead of the November 15–16 convention in Ibadan.
Lamido accused the party leadership of sidelining aspirants and breaching internal democratic norms, warning that such disorganisation could further weaken the PDP’s unity and public image.
He said he was surprised that the National Organising Secretary, Umar Bature, and the National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, both present during his visit, denied knowledge of who was handling the sale of forms or how many were printed for distribution.
“I’m not aware of this arrangement. Traditionally, forms are sold at the secretariat. If they are now being sold elsewhere, I’ll have to find out where,” Lamido said, adding with a tone of sarcasm, “So, Fintiri is now holding the forms; I have to go to Adamawa to buy the form?”
The former governor also dismissed reports that a consensus candidate, Kabiru Turaki, had been endorsed for the chairmanship position, insisting that no such agreement was reached by the North-West stakeholders.
“Consensus comes from consultation. But our zone never met. There was supposed to be a meeting last Wednesday at Transcorp Hilton Abuja, but it never held. So where is the consensus coming from?” he queried.
Lamido cautioned that the PDP risked deeper internal crises if the leadership continued to ignore due process and alienate committed members.
“PDP must put its house in order if it wants to win future elections. If the party is not organised or disciplined, how do we expect Nigerians to trust us with power again?” he warned.
Meanwhile, confusion deepened as both the National Organising Secretary and the National Secretary maintained that they were unaware of the process for selling the convention forms, despite being responsible for such administrative matters.
The unfolding controversy has sparked fresh concerns among party loyalists that the PDP may once again be heading toward another internal showdown capable of derailing preparations for the November convention and undermining efforts at party reconciliation.