APDP Convention Crisis: Lamido Missed Chairmanship Race Over Nomination Form Issue — Sani

A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Umar Sani, has explained the circumstances that led to the exclusion of former Bauchi State governor, Sule Lamido, from participating in the party’s national convention held in Ibadan, Oyo State.

Speaking during an interview on ARISE News on Wednesday, Sani said Lamido did not follow the stipulated procedures required to obtain the nomination form for the position of national chairman.

According to him, the controversy surrounding Lamido’s attempt to purchase the form later became a major issue in the legal dispute that resulted in the nullification of the convention which produced Kabiru Turaki as national chairman.

The explanation followed a recent judgment of the Court of Appeal of Nigeria which faulted the conduct of the convention over claims that Lamido was excluded from contesting the party’s top position.

The appellate court had earlier invalidated the PDP elective convention held in Ibadan, where Turaki emerged as chairman.

In its unanimous ruling delivered on Monday, a three-member panel of justices dismissed the appeal filed by the party, affirming the earlier judgment of the Federal High Court of Nigeria presided over by Justice James Omotosho on October 31.

The lower court had granted the reliefs sought by the plaintiffs, including an order restraining the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising the outcome of the convention.

However, reacting to the ruling, Sani insisted that the court misunderstood the situation surrounding Lamido’s attempt to join the race.

He explained that the party had earlier fixed specific dates for the sale and submission of nomination forms through the Convention Planning Committee, whose operations were based at the party’s Legacy House annex.

Sani said Lamido only indicated interest in the chairmanship position on the final day scheduled for submission of completed forms.

According to him, rather than approaching the committee responsible for issuing forms, the former governor reportedly went to the party’s national secretariat at Wadata Plaza in Abuja to seek the form.

He noted that other aspirants, including Senator Olado from Katsina State, complied with the timetable and purchased their nomination forms within the stipulated period.

Sani maintained that allowing Lamido to participate in the convention without purchasing the nomination form would have violated the party’s constitution and laid-down guidelines.

He further argued that the appellate court did not sufficiently consider the party’s explanations during the proceedings.

On allegations that the PDP engaged in forum shopping by approaching different courts over the dispute, Sani dismissed the claim, stating that the party was only responding to lawsuits filed by aggrieved aspirants.

He added that the protracted legal battle has created uncertainty within the party, particularly regarding the legitimacy of some officials who had claimed authority.

Meanwhile, a separate panel of the Court of Appeal of Nigeria sitting in Ibadan on Wednesday adjourned indefinitely the suit relating to the convention and advised the parties to seek an amicable settlement outside the courtroom.

The justices urged the parties to explore reconciliation and return to court only if they fail to reach a mutual agreement.

They also cautioned lawyers involved in the case to guide their clients appropriately, noting the need to resolve the dispute quickly in view of the electoral timetable recently released by INEC.

Despite the lingering crisis, Sani expressed confidence that the PDP can still resolve its internal differences and remain competitive ahead of the 2027 general elections.