The crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ahead of its national convention has worsened as former Jigawa State governor, Sule Lamido, vowed to drag the party to court after failing to obtain the nomination form for the position of national chairman.
Lamido’s protest followed the party’s adoption of former Minister of Special Duties, Kabiru Tanimu Turaki (SAN), as consensus candidate for the top position at the convention slated for November 15 and 16 in Ibadan, Oyo State.
Speaking with journalists at the PDP national secretariat in Abuja on Monday, Lamido described the process as “manipulated” and lacking transparency.
“I believe in consensus, but there must be consultations. If there are no consultations, then we are not united on board,” he said.
The former foreign affairs minister faulted the manner in which the consensus arrangement was handled, alleging that his North-West zone was sidelined.
“The zone I came from, the North-West, never met. We were supposed to meet on Wednesday (last week), the Zamfara governor even booked the hall at Hilton for us; but they fixed another meeting for Tuesday to pre-empt ours. So, we never met. That’s the problem,” Lamido explained.
Lamido narrated that he went to Wadata Plaza, the party’s headquarters, to purchase his form, but encountered an unusual development.
“I visited the office of the National Organising Secretary, but it was locked. I met him and the National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, and both said they had no idea where the forms were or how they were being sold. I found it strange that the custodian of the process was being locked out,” he lamented.
He alleged that the nomination forms were being kept by Governor Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa State, who chairs the National Convention Organising Committee (NCOC).
“So, I have to go to Adamawa to buy the form? If I don’t get the form, I’ll go to court. Simple,” he declared.
Despite his threats of legal action, Lamido insisted that the PDP’s problems remain internal and must be resolved to ensure victory in future elections.
“It’s a family problem. We’ll never fight because we want to win elections. Our opponents are outside, the APC. If we don’t have an organised house, how do we fight them?” he said.
