Lamido Accuses PDP Governors of Blocking Chairmanship Bid

Former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido has accused governors elected on the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) platform of thwarting his bid for the party’s national chairmanship. In an interview with the BBC Hausa Service, Lamido said the governors denied him a nomination form and ignored a court order that instructed the PDP to allow his candidacy. He alleged that the chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum and Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, personally asked him to withdraw, arguing that Lamido would be too independent if elected chairman. Lamido replied by invoking the party’s history and insisting that it should not be controlled by a single individual.

Although Lamido obtained a court order compelling the PDP to include him in the race, the governors refused to comply and instead filed an appeal. He has rejected the leadership that emerged from the recent convention, where Tanimu Turaki was named national chairman, describing the process as unacceptable and “null and void.” Lamido called on senior stakeholders, including former President Olusegun Obasanjo, to intervene and help reorganize the PDP, emphasizing the need for the party to return to its founding values to strengthen Nigeria’s democracy and development.

Lamido’s allegations and his rejection of the current leadership have significant implications for the PDP’s future and its role in Nigerian politics. The party has faced internal conflicts and power struggles in recent years, which have hampered its ability to effectively oppose the ruling party. The national chairmanship election was seen as an opportunity for the PDP to rebrand and reposition itself ahead of future elections. However, Lamido’s claims of interference by governors and disregard for court orders raise concerns about the party’s commitment to democratic principles and internal democracy. As the PDP navigates this challenging period, it remains to be seen how it will address Lamido’s allegations and move forward, with the outcome likely to have major repercussions for the party’s ability to play a meaningful role in Nigerian politics.