Lamido accuses PDP governors of blocking national chairmanship bid

Former Jigawa State governor, Sule Lamido, has accused PDP-elected governors of blocking his attempt to contest for the party’s national chairmanship.

Lamido made the claim during an interview with BBC Hausa Service, alleging that the governors denied him access to the party’s nomination form and ignored a court order directing that he be allowed to contest.

According to Lamido, Bala Mohammed, chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum and governor of Bauchi State, personally called him and asked him to step down, fearing he would be difficult to influence if elected.

“Bala, the governor of Bauchi, called and said, ‘My elder brother, you are stronger than us. If we make you chairman, we can’t influence you,’” Lamido quoted.

The former governor said he reminded Mohammed of the party’s history in response.

“I told him, ‘When PDP was formed, you were not there. The party with history should not be controlled by one person,’” he added.

Lamido also claimed that despite obtaining a court order compelling the Peoples Democratic Party to admit him into the race, the governors declined to obey it, opting instead to file an appeal.

He further rejected the outcome of the party’s recent national convention, where Tanimu Turaki emerged as national chairman.

The ex-governor described the process as unacceptable and lacking legitimacy.

“That convention is null and void,” he said, insisting that the exercise should not stand.

Lamido also called for urgent intervention by senior party stakeholders, including former President Olusegun Obasanjo, to help reorganise the PDP.

The former governor maintained that the party must return to its founding ideals to strengthen Nigeria’s democracy and rescue its political relevance ahead of future elections.