Former Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido, claims governors within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) prevented him from vying for the party’s national chairmanship.
In an interview with BBC Hausa Service, Lamido alleged that PDP governors denied him access to nomination forms. This occurred despite a court order that mandated the party to allow his participation.
He recounted that Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, who chairs the PDP Governors’ Forum, personally asked him to withdraw his bid.
Lamido quoted Governor Mohammed as saying, “My elder brother, you are stronger than us. If we make you chairman, we can’t influence you.”
Lamido stated he rejected this request. He reminded the governor that the PDP was founded on collective ideals, not individual control.
He reportedly told Mohammed, “When PDP was formed, you were not there. A party with such a rich history should not be controlled by one person.”
The former governor further explained that the governors refused to comply even after a court judgment directed the PDP to allow his contest. Instead, the party filed an appeal to block his involvement.
Lamido accused the governors of hijacking the entire process. He insisted their actions violated the party’s constitution and democratic values.
He also dismissed the outcome of the party’s recent national convention. Tanimu Turaki emerged as national chairman from this convention.
“That convention is null and void,” he declared. Lamido maintained that the process lacked legitimacy.
Lamido urged senior stakeholders, including former President Olusegun Obasanjo, to intervene. He called for efforts to help restructure the party.
He argued the PDP must return to its founding principles. This is crucial for it to play an effective role in Nigeria’s democracy.
The former Governor warned of further party decline. This would happen if internal democracy continues to be undermined.
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