A member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Board of Trustees, Chief Bode George, says former Jigawa State Governor, Alhaji Sule Lamido, has every right to contest for the position of national chairman of the party.
George stated this on Tuesday during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today. He explained that while the PDP encourages consensus arrangements for internal positions, it does not prevent any member from contesting for office.
“This has been part of the practice in the PDP. The fact that some leaders converge to support one person as a consensus candidate doesn’t mean others cannot compete,” George said.
He stressed that consensus is only a preferred approach to make the process “seamless and non-combative,” but not binding on aspirants. “Governor Sule Lamido has the right to compete. He can get the form, fill it, and appear on the convention day. We will vote. That is the practice in our party,” he added.
However, George cautioned members against taking internal disputes to court without first exploring the party’s internal conflict resolution mechanisms. “This party is not owned by any individual. Before taking the party to court, you must exhaust the internal dynamics of the party. If you fail to do that, you can be punished,” he warned.
He further explained that while Lamido is free to contest, seeking redress in court without following due party procedures could attract disciplinary measures.
Lamido had on Monday threatened legal action against the PDP if denied access to the nomination form for the chairmanship position ahead of its forthcoming national convention.
The former governor, who visited the party’s national secretariat in Abuja, said he was told by the National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, and the National Organising Secretary, Umar Bature, that they had no information about the availability of the forms.
Speaking to journalists afterward, Lamido described the situation as “unacceptable,” insisting that as a founding member of the PDP, he has the right to participate fully in the party’s democratic process.
Reports later indicated that the nomination forms were being handled by Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Fintiri, who also chairs the party’s National Convention Organising Committee (NCOC).
