Preparations for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) national convention have taken a new twist, as former Jigawa State governor, Sule Lamido, vowed to take legal action after he was allegedly denied access to purchase the nomination form for the party’s national chairmanship position.
Lamido’s outburst comes amid growing tension within the opposition party following the endorsement of former Minister of Special Duties, Kabiru Tanimu Turaki (SAN), as the consensus candidate ahead of the convention slated for November 15–16 in Ibadan, Oyo State.
The crisis is unfolding alongside multiple legal and internal challenges threatening the event. A Federal High Court in Abuja is set to deliver judgment on October 30 in a suit seeking to halt the convention—filed by state chairmen reportedly loyal to FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, a critic of the current leadership arrangement.
Adding to the controversy, PDP National Secretary Senator Samuel Anyanwu, another Wike ally, has petitioned security agencies alleging forgery of his signature on a letter sent to INEC about the convention. While the NWC and BoT denied the claim, the ongoing probe continues to heighten uncertainty.
Speaking with journalists after his failed attempt to buy the form at the party’s Wadata Plaza headquarters, Lamido described the process as “manipulated” and accused the organisers of sidelining him.
“I believe in consensus, but there must be consultations. The North West zone never met as scheduled,” Lamido lamented. “I went to the secretariat, but the National Organising Secretary’s office was locked. They said they didn’t know where the forms were. If I don’t get it, I’ll go to court.”
Lamido also expressed frustration that the nomination forms were reportedly held by Governor Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa State, who chairs the National Convention Organising Committee (NCOC).
Despite Lamido’s threat, the PDP leadership dismissed his claims. The Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Ibrahim Abdullahi, insisted that the party remained focused on the convention schedule and would not allow “disgruntled elements” to derail progress.
“We are focused on moving forward. The sale and submission deadline for forms was October 22. Anyone coming after that is simply playing to the gallery,” Abdullahi stated.
He accused certain members of working for “external interests” to destabilize the PDP and said Turaki’s endorsement followed due consultations among governors and party leaders.
Meanwhile, the NCOC has postponed the screening of aspirants originally fixed for October 28, citing “unforeseen circumstances.” Fintiri assured that a new date would soon be announced and promised a credible convention.
While Lamido struggled to secure a form, Turaki successfully submitted his completed documents at Legacy House, the official venue for the process. His campaign spokesperson, Mallam Umar Sani, confirmed compliance with all party guidelines and dismissed Lamido’s claims as misplaced.
“If Lamido went to Wadata Plaza, he went to the wrong place. The process was transparent,” Sani said, adding that governors have historically played major roles in selecting PDP chairmen.
Sources say Wike’s camp has now shifted support to former Benue State governor, Samuel Ortom, arguing that the North Central zone deserves to retain the chairmanship slot following the exit of Iyorchia Ayu, also from Benue.
Wike, in a recent interview, described the governors’ consensus arrangement as a “booby trap” and warned that the party risks “burying itself” if it continues to exclude key stakeholders.
However, senior party members maintain that Turaki’s emergence followed wide consultation among northern stakeholders, including governors Bala Mohammed (Bauchi), Caleb Mutfwang (Plateau), Dauda Lawal (Zamfara), and Ahmadu Fintiri (Adamawa).
Former National Secretary Ibrahim Tsauri urged calm and called for the immediate constitution of a reconciliation committee to address grievances.
“In democracy, disagreements are normal. What’s important is to reconcile and rebuild unity,” Tsauri said. “Once leadership stabilises, many who left the PDP will return.”
Despite deepening divisions, party leaders insist that the November convention will hold as scheduled, with hopes that ongoing disputes will be resolved through dialogue and compromise.
