Tension is mounting within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as former Jigawa State governor, Alhaji Sule Lamido, has accused the party’s leadership of subverting internal democracy after he was denied access to purchase the nomination form to contest for the position of National Chairman.
Lamido, a founding member of the PDP and one of its vocal elder statesmen, arrived at the party’s national secretariat, Wadata Plaza, Abuja, on Monday morning, only to be turned back by officials who allegedly informed him that the forms were “no longer available.”
Visibly angered by the development, Lamido told journalists that the action was “unacceptable, undemocratic, and a slap on the ideals of fairness” which the PDP was built upon.
“I came here to buy the form for the chairmanship position, but I was denied. This is not the democracy our party stands for,” he said.
“If this continues, I will have no choice but to approach the court for justice. Nobody owns this party more than the other; we all built it together.”
The former governor, who had earlier declared his intention to run for the chairmanship via his verified Facebook page, insisted that he remains committed to the PDP but would not watch the leadership “truncate the democratic process.”
“I announced openly that I would be at the secretariat by 11 a.m. to buy my form. It is shameful that a party that prides itself as the most democratic in Africa would deny a member his right to contest,” Lamido lamented.
Meanwhile, a former Minister of Special Duties, Kabiru Turaki (SAN), has formally submitted his Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms to contest for the same position.
Turaki, a senior lawyer and former presidential aspirant, was accompanied by friends, allies, and loyal supporters to the PDP National Convention Organising Committee Secretariat at Legacy House, Abuja, where he handed in his forms amid jubilation.
Party insiders hinted that Turaki had been adopted as the consensus candidate by a bloc of influential stakeholders who believe his emergence would unite the party and strengthen its base ahead of the 2027 general elections.
One of Turaki’s supporters, who spoke to PLATFORM TIMES on condition of anonymity, said, “The majority of the governors and National Working Committee members believe Turaki represents the kind of bridge-builder the PDP needs right now. He has the support of key figures across zones.”
The PDP has scheduled its Elective National Convention for November 15 and 16, 2025, in Ibadan, Oyo State, where new national officers are expected to emerge.
However, Lamido’s outburst has raised concerns about possible legal and political crises that could undermine the unity of the opposition party ahead of the crucial convention.
A senior party source expressed worry that the controversy might deepen existing divisions within the PDP.
“If the issue is not handled carefully, it could lead to multiple court cases and weaken the party’s cohesion ahead of 2027,” the source warned.
As of press time, the PDP’s National Publicity Secretary had yet to respond to inquiries from PLATFORM TIMES on why Lamido was denied the form and whether Turaki’s candidacy had indeed been adopted by consensus.
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