PDP convention: Lamido threatens legal action if denied chairmanship form
…as party shelves screening of aspirants
Sule Lamido, former Jigawa State governor, has threatened legal action against the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) if he is denied the opportunity to contest for the position of National Chairman of the party.
This comes as the PDP announced the postponement of the screening of aspirants for various positions, earlier scheduled to begin on Tuesday, October 28, 2025.
Umaru Fintiri, the chairman of the National Convention Organising Committee (NCOC) and Governor of Adamawa State, attributed the postponement to what he described as “unforeseen circumstances.”
Responding to questions about his next line of action should he be unable to obtain the nomination form, Lamido said: “If I don’t get the form, I’ll go to court. Simple.”
His threat comes at a time when the party has already concluded the sale of forms for elective positions ahead of its November 15–16 convention. The PDP, however, fixed Monday, October 27, as the deadline for the submission of completed forms for all elective offices.
When reminded that the party had earlier released a timetable indicating that the sale of forms ended on September 3, Lamido said he was unaware of such an expiration.
“No, it has been extended — the extension of the date. In any case, all decisions of the party must be done by the NEC. Any change of date or time must be approved by the NEC. But somehow, I think the entire function of the NEC has been taken over by individuals. We’ll find out how it’s going to work out.”
Lamido, however, expressed optimism that the issue would be resolved amicably.
“You know, it’s a family thing. We’ll never fight, no matter what, because we want to win the election. If we fight, we’ll lose. Our opponents are outside — the APC and their evil system. If you don’t have an organised house with a united front, how do you fight it out? So, please bear with us. Yes, it’s a family problem.”
He criticised what he described as underhand tactics within the party, saying: “We have a procedure in our system of doing things. Why the rush? Why this kind of ‘cunny-cunny’ thing? It’s a family matter, for God’s sake. I can only contest if I buy the form, but the form, which should be sold by the NOS, is locked up.”
Narrating his failed attempt to obtain the form on Monday, Lamido said: “I went to the Secretary of the Party, and they said they had no idea where the forms were being sold. I was told they are now under the control of the Governor of Adamawa. So, for me to buy the form, I have to go to Adamawa?”
He continued: “By the party’s constitution, the sale of forms for conventions normally takes place at the party headquarters. I came here to purchase mine. I went to the office of the National Organising Secretary, which is normally where the forms are sold, but the office was locked. I think it was officially locked because of his position.
“I met him with the Secretary of the Party, Senator Samuel Anyanwu. I told them I was there to buy the form. Both of them said they had no idea where the forms were — not even how they were printed or the kind of forms they are. I found it strange that the custodian of the process, the National Organising Secretary, was also locked out.”
When reminded that the party’s 102nd NEC had mandated the NCOC to take over organisational activities and operate from the Legacy House in Maitama, Lamido said he was unaware of the development.
“I am not aware of this announcement. It’s a family affair — there is no controversy, no division, no hassle. If you don’t get organised, how will you run a political party? I should know where the forms are sold; that’s why I came to Wadata Plaza.
“If they are being sold somewhere else, then I’ll find out. Fintiri is now holding the forms, so I’ll have to go to Adamawa to buy one.”
Read also: PDP’s implosion result of ignored warnings, not bitterness – Wike
Lamido also faulted the decision by some northern governors and stakeholders to adopt a consensus approach, saying there had been no proper consultations.
“Consensus? If there are consultations, there can be consensus. But if there are no consultations, then we are not united. The zone I came from never met. We were supposed to meet on Wednesday — the Governor of Zamfara even booked a hall at the Hilton for our meeting — but they fixed another meeting for Tuesday to pre-empt ours. So, we never met as a zone. That’s the problem.”
He added: “PDP is a family of wonderful Nigerians committed to democracy. They all met me in the PDP. Where were they in 1998 when we fought for the party? So, let’s not bring divisive issues. The PDP must run according to its constitution and procedures if we hope to win elections and save Nigeria from the APC.”
Meanwhile, the party confirmed the postponement of all screening activities.
“The National Convention Organising Committee (NCOC) has put on hold the screening of aspirants for the 2025 Elective National Convention, earlier scheduled for Tuesday, October 28, 2025, due to unforeseen circumstances. A new date will be communicated once fixed,” the statement said.
The committee expressed regret for any inconvenience caused, adding: “All aspirants and members of our party should note the foregoing and be guided accordingly. The NCOC remains committed to delivering a credible, hitch-free 2025 Elective National Convention, scheduled for Saturday, November 15 to Sunday, November 16, 2025, in Ibadan, Oyo State capital.”
