By Charles Pemu 
Fresh internal crises have engulfed the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) just weeks before its national convention, as former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido formally rejected the endorsement of Tanimu Turaki (SAN) as the party’s consensus candidate for National Chairman.
The feud, coupled with the sudden postponement of the screening of all aspirants, has plunged the opposition party into new tension, threatening to derail preparations for the November 15-16 Elective National Convention in Ibadan.
Lamido Threatens Legal Action Over Nomination Forms
The primary flashpoint emerged on Monday when Lamido, an aspirant for the National Chairman position, threatened to take legal action against the party if he was not granted immediate access to purchase nomination forms.
Lamido’s attempt to obtain the form at the PDP National Secretariat (Wadata Plaza) was unsuccessful, as he found most offices locked and claimed key officials were unavailable. Significantly, both the National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, and the National Organising Secretary, Umaru Bature, corroborated his account, saying they had no idea where the forms were and had not seen them since the process began.
“I said, ‘Look, I’m here to buy the form.’ Both of them said they had no idea where the forms were… I found it a little bit weird that the custodian of the system, who is the National Organising Secretary, was also being locked out,” Lamido stated, adding, “If I don’t get the form, I will go to court simply.”
However, Turaki’s ally, Umar Sani, insisted that the date for purchasing forms had passed and presented an acknowledgement slip, confirming that Turaki had duly submitted his own nomination forms at the National Convention Organising Committee Headquarters at Legacy House.
Lamido staunchly rejected the consensus arrangement announced by northern PDP governors, led by Adamawa State Governor Ahmadu Fintiri, which endorsed Turaki.
Lamido argued that the endorsement was made without proper consultation, noting that the North-West zone, which was micro-zoned the position, had never met to agree on a consensus candidate.
Further adding to the internal chaos, the PDP’s National Convention Organising Committee (NCOC) announced the postponement of the screening of aspirants, which was originally scheduled for Tuesday (today).
NCOC Chairman, Governor Ahmadu Fintiri, attributed the sudden halt to “unforeseen circumstances,” raising concerns among party members and political observers about possible internal challenges leading up to the convention. A new date is expected to be communicated soon.
Meanwhile, the contentious race is also being influenced by external forces, with FCT Minister Nyesom Wike reportedly supporting his ally, former Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom, for the same National Chairman position, which has been zoned to the North.