Lamido Shuns PDP Convention, Says Court Ruling Saved His Honour

 

Former Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido, yesterday reaffirmed his decision to stay away from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) national convention scheduled to hold today in Ibadan, insisting that attending the event would amount to undermining the judgment that restored his right to purchase a nomination form.

Lamido, who spoke on Channels Television’s Politics Today, said his legal action was driven by a need to reclaim his personal dignity after senior party officials allegedly blocked him from obtaining the form to contest party leadership positions.

He stressed that the ruling of the Federal High Court, Abuja—which halted the convention pending his inclusion in the process—must be respected by all party members.

> “For someone saved by the court, I cannot attend a convention that the same court has placed an injunction on,” Lamido said. “Going there would mean renouncing what I gained through the judicial process.”

 

The former governor lamented what he described as the deepening erosion of unity within the PDP, observing that the party he once knew as cohesive has been weakened by internal distrust.

> “I won the case, yes, but it is tormenting that the judgment exposes how far our family has drifted. A family once united with love and trust is now fighting itself,” he said.

 

Legal Tussle Deepens PDP’s Crisis

Lamido’s troubles began in October after he was allegedly prevented by the National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, and Organising Secretary, Umar Bature, from purchasing his nomination form.

The crisis has since spawned conflicting court orders, further complicating preparations for the convention.

An Oyo State High Court on Thursday allowed preparations to continue in a case filed by a party member, Folahan Adelabi, but deferred ruling on the substantive matter. However, a separate ruling by Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court, Abuja, directed the PDP to suspend the convention until Lamido is permitted to buy the form.

Former Senate President Bukola Saraki has advised the party to obey the Abuja order, suspend the exercise, and set up a caretaker committee.

Despite this, PDP governors and key stakeholders resolved after a late-night meeting in Abuja that the convention would proceed. Delegates have already arrived in Ibadan, and the Lekan Salami Stadium has been decorated for the event.

‘Governors Ruined the Party’

Lamido rejected claims that he met with PDP governors over the crisis, instead accusing them of contributing to the party’s decline.

> “PDP had 14 governors; today only three remain. Under Bala Mohammed as chairman of the governors’ forum, we were 14. Under Damagum, we are three—and two of them are already on their way out,” he said.

 

He argued that the governors developed a “wrong notion” of their power and weakened the party’s national structure.

Although he insisted he is not desperate for the national chairmanship, Lamido said he believes he can help rebuild the once-dominant party.

Party Stands Further Divided

The clash of court rulings, resistance to judicial directives, and widening mistrust among stakeholders have left the PDP in one of its most precarious moments since 2015.

Lamido maintained that, for him, the matter is not personal ambition but respect for due process.

> “There is a clear court order restoring my dignity. I will stand by the law because I am a party man,” he said.