A member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Board of Trustees, Chief Bode George, has cautioned former Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido, against taking legal action against the party over the alleged denial of access to the nomination form for the position of national chairman.
Speaking on Politics Today on Channels Television on Tuesday, Chief George said while every member of the PDP, including Lamido, has the right to contest any position, it would be inappropriate to go to court without first exploring the party’s internal dispute 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 stated.
George explained that although the PDP encourages consensus-building during its internal elections, such arrangements are not meant to exclude any aspirant.
“The fact that some leaders agree to support one person as a consensus candidate doesn’t mean others cannot contest,” he said. “The idea of consensus is to make the process more peaceful and less divisive. But it’s optional anyone who wishes to contest is free to do so.”
He maintained that Lamido has every right to purchase the nomination form, complete it, and participate in the election, adding that the final decision on who becomes the national chairman rests with the delegates at the convention.
“He can get the form, fill it, and appear on convention day. We will vote that is the practice in our party,” George emphasised.
Lamido had on Monday expressed displeasure after visiting the PDP national secretariat in Abuja, where he was reportedly unable to obtain the chairmanship nomination form. He claimed that both the National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, and the National Organising Secretary, Umar Bature, said they were unaware of the form’s availability.
“I found it a little weird that the custodians of the system are also being locked out,” Lamido said, alleging that the forms were being withheld.
Despite the controversy, Chief George urged Lamido to remain patient and follow due process, stressing that taking the matter to court would be against the spirit of party unity and discipline.
