…The party is unlikely to present a presidential candidate in 2027 – Analyst
After it emerged that key leaders of Nigeria's main opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), have decided to close ranks to propel the party forward, fresh rifts have emerged ahead of its national conference as former governor of Jigawa State, Sule Lamido has dragged the party to the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Lamido is reportedly seeking an order to stop the party convention to deny him access to nomination and expression of interest forms for the national chairmanship post.
The conference is proposed to be held in Ibadan, Oyo State between November 15 and 16 for the purpose of electing national officers who will run the affairs of the PDP.
The leadership crisis ahead of the 2023 elections has polarized the party by dividing it into camps. In recent months, there have been mass defection of members and governors elected on its platform to the ruling party, the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Also read: PDP crisis deepens, party divided into two factions after suspension of Anyanwu and three others
Last week, Lamido, who went to the PDP National Secretariat in Abuja to procure the forms, expressed disappointment that no official could account for the whereabouts of the documents or explain the process to obtain them.
“If I don't get the forms, I will go to court,” a clearly angry Lamido told reporters after visiting the offices of key party officials at the Wadata head office of the umbrella association.
The development comes amid growing discontent among party chiefs over allegations of poor coordination and lack of transparency by the National Conference Organizing Committee (NCOC).
Lamido accused the party leadership of sidelining candidates and violating internal democratic norms, warning that such disarray could further weaken the unity and public image of the PDP.
He said he was surprised that the National Organizing Secretary, Omar Batere, and the National Secretary, Samuel Anyanwu, both present during his visit, denied knowledge of who was handling the sale of the forms or how many were printed for distribution.
“I am not aware of this arrangement. Traditionally, the forms are sold at the secretariat. If they are now being sold somewhere else, I would have to find out where,” Lamido said sarcastically, “So, Fintiri is now holding the forms; I have to go to Adamawa to buy the forms?”
The former governor also dismissed reports that consensus candidate Kabiru Turaki was endorsed for the chairmanship, insisting that no such agreement was made by North-West stakeholders.
“Consensus comes from consultation. But the meeting never happened in our area. There was supposed to be a meeting last Wednesday at the Transcorp Hilton Abuja, but it never happened. So where is the consensus coming from?” he asked.
Lamido warned that the PDP risked a deep internal crisis if the leadership continued to ignore due process and alienate committed members.
“If the PDP wants to win elections in the future, it must put its house in order. If the party is not organized or disciplined, how can we expect Nigerians to trust us to power again?” He warned.
Also read: PDP suspends Anyannu, three others
Meanwhile, the confusion deepened as both the National Organizing Secretary and the National Secretary said that despite being responsible for such administrative matters, they were unaware of the process of selling conference forms.
The unfolding controversy has raised fresh concerns among party loyalists that the PDP may once again be headed towards another internal conflict capable of derailing preparations for the November convention and undermining efforts at reconciliation in the party.
Former Foreign Minister Lamido approached the High Court for an order to stop the conference on the grounds that he was unhappy with the way the conference was being planned.
In the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CD/2229/2025 and filed on his behalf by Jephthah Chikodi Njikonyi, SAN, the former governor of Jigawa has also asked the court to stop the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from supervising, assisting or monitoring the conference so as not to give it any legal backing.
Lamido's main complaint was that he was unlawfully denied nomination forms for the purpose of his bid to contest for the position of National Chairman of the party at the Ibadan conference.
Among other things, he alleged that the PDP had failed to strictly follow the provisions and guidelines of its constitution in the manner in which the conference was being organised.
Specifically, the plaintiff claimed that the party did not create equal opportunities for eligible members, including him, to contest elections during the convention.
He prayed for a mandatory order of injunction compelling the party to provide him a form for National President nomination.
Lamido also sought an order barring INEC from supervising, assisting or accrediting the conduct of any convention unless it is allowed to contest elections at the convention.
The ongoing disagreements within the PDP ahead of the planned national conference have continued to generate reactions from political observers.
Speaking to BusinessDaySubday, political analyst, Kunle Okunade, wondered why the party leadership would not allow a level playing field for all presidential aspirants in line with the PDP constitution, even if they have a candidate they support.
Okunade said the leadership of the PDP should have learned from the current impasse that arose out of disagreement over the zoning arrangement of the 2023 presidential ticket, stressing that with the spate of defections from the party, it may not be strong enough to present a presidential candidate in 2027.
According to him, it is surprising to me that someone like Lamido wants to buy the national chairmanship form and they are turning it into a nuisance and hiding it. Why do they do this? Why not allow him to buy it and you guys vote for whoever you want.
“The leaders are only creating unnecessary crisis, the party is already fractured and I see more governors switching parties and if that happens then who will be left?
“The bottom line is that the party may not be able to present a presidential candidate that can compete with the APC.”
Meanwhile, a chieftain of the party, Olabode George, has warned Lamido against suing the party over his inability to procure the national chairmanship nomination forms of the party.
George said if Lamido drags the PDP to court, he will be punished.
George said the PDP should allow all interested candidates to compete for the position.
He said that some members of the party have the right to support any candidate of their choice.
According to him, “You want to make the process seamless and non-combative. We have done this before, but the party has never told anyone that they cannot contest. Governor Sule Lamido has the right to compete.”
“He can get the form, fill it up, and be present on the convention day. We will vote. That is the practice in our party.”
“This party is not owned by an individual. Before taking the party to court, you have to understand the internal dynamics of the party. If you fail to do so, you may be punished.”
“So, he is exercising his rights. But if he goes to court for it, he can be punished. Let him go, no one will refuse him in any form, and he can compete.”
“The final decision will be made by the delegates attending the conference, and it will be made openly.”
