The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is grappling with escalating internal crises ahead of its National Convention, scheduled for November 15-16 in Ibadan, Oyo State. A central point of contention emerged when Alhaji Sule Lamido, former Jigawa State Governor and a founding member of the party, was allegedly denied the opportunity to purchase the nomination form for the position of National Chairman, prompting him to threaten legal action against the party.

Lamido, who arrived at the PDP National Secretariat, Wadata Plaza, Abuja, on a Monday morning, was reportedly prevented from obtaining the form, a situation he vehemently described as “unacceptable and undemocratic.” He expressed profound disappointment over the incident, vowing to seek redress in court if he remained unable to participate in the forthcoming convention. According to Lamido, the office of the National Organising Secretary, where such forms are typically sold, was locked. Furthermore, both the National Organising Secretary, Umar Bature, and the National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, claimed they had no knowledge of where the forms were kept, how they were printed, or who was selling them. Lamido alleged he was later informed that the documents were being handled by Governor Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa State, who chairs the PDP National Convention Organising Committee (NCOC), implying he might need to travel to Adamawa to procure his form.

Both key officials corroborated Lamido's claims of ignorance regarding the forms. Senator Anyanwu stated that as the National Secretary, he had not seen the nomination form nor been informed of its official issuance process. Similarly, Umar Bature emphatically disclaimed any knowledge of the sale, asserting that no forms had been issued through his office. This apparent lack of transparency and administrative disarray has led Lamido to warn that such practices undermine the PDP’s democratic ethos and risk weakening its internal structures. He stressed the importance of discipline, fairness, and internal democracy for the party to regain public trust and succeed in future elections, particularly in 2027.

The controversy surrounding Lamido's bid is compounded by other internal disputes, notably the contentious issue of a consensus candidate for the chairmanship in the North and a zoning dispute in the South-east. The consensus nomination of former Minister of Special Duties, Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, has faced significant rejection from PDP chapters in the North-west, with the Kebbi State chapter explicitly rejecting his endorsement as an imposition without consultation. The National Organising Secretary, Umar Bature, also reportedly described Turaki's nomination as an imposition, indicating a significant rift within the northern leadership despite an earlier endorsement meeting involving governors and other stakeholders.

Adding to the party's woes, PDP lawmakers from the South-east in the National Assembly have threatened to boycott the national convention. Their grievance stems from the alleged hijacking of the woman leader position, originally zoned to Imo State, which they claim was manipulated for South-south or Enugu State by Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State and Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State. Hon. Imo Ugochinyere, a member of the House of Representatives, issued a stark warning, stating that no elected South-east lawmaker would remain in the PDP if such an insult was allowed to stand, especially given that Governor Mbah, whose nominee was implicated, has since defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Amidst this deep-seated confusion, the NCOC, chaired by Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, announced the postponement of the screening of aspirants, which was originally scheduled for a Tuesday in late October. Citing “unforeseen circumstances,” the committee assured members of its commitment to a credible convention, though new dates are yet to be communicated. Observers warn that without urgent reconciliation efforts, the ongoing crisis could significantly threaten the party's cohesion and its prospects in the upcoming general elections, highlighting a fundamental struggle for control over the PDP’s leadership machinery.