Barely weeks to its national convention, fresh cracks have surfaced within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as former Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido, rejected the endorsement of former Minister of Special Duties, Tanimu Turaki (SAN), as the party’s consensus candidate for National Chairman.
The disagreement has heightened internal tension and could trigger a legal showdown, even as Turaki’s camp presses ahead with its campaign activities.
The PDP also announced a suspension of the screening of aspirants for its 2025 Elective National Convention, originally scheduled for Tuesday, citing “unforeseen circumstances.” The decision, less than a month before the event, has stirred fresh speculation about possible internal wrangling within the opposition party.
In a statement on Monday, Chairman of the National Convention Organising Committee and Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Fintiri, said a new screening date would be announced later.
“The NCOC regrets any inconvenience caused by the postponement,” the statement read. “We remain focused on delivering a credible, hitch-free 2025 Elective National Convention on November 15–16 in Ibadan.”
However, the consensus arrangement appears to have deepened divisions in the North-West, where Lamido accused party leaders of excluding him and other stakeholders from consultations.
Lamido, who visited the PDP national secretariat in Abuja on Monday to purchase his nomination form, said he was denied access and found the relevant offices locked. He described the situation as “strange” and threatened legal action if denied the opportunity to contest.
“If I don’t get the form, I’ll go to court. The PDP must be run based on its constitution and procedures,” he said.
While Lamido insists there was no consultation before Turaki’s endorsement, Turaki’s camp maintains that all stakeholders were duly involved in the process.
PDP chieftain Umar Sani, speaking for Turaki, confirmed the former minister had already submitted his nomination forms at the committee’s secretariat in Abuja.
“Consultations were held with northern leaders before the consensus decision. Turaki is not afraid of contest and will be fair to all if elected,” Sani said.
The PDP had earlier zoned its 2027 presidential ticket to the South and the national chairmanship position to the North. Northern governors and party leaders later micro-zoned the position to the North-West, endorsing Turaki as their consensus choice.
The unfolding crisis adds to the PDP’s internal challenges as it seeks to stabilise its leadership and rebuild ahead of the 2027 general elections.