Ny Felix Timothy
Former Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido, has expressed deep regret over his decision to take legal action against the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) following his exclusion from the party’s forthcoming national convention.
Speaking to journalists in Abuja on Tuesday, shortly after a Federal High Court ruling halted the convention scheduled for November 15 and 16 in Ibadan, Lamido described the experience as “painful” and “unfortunate,” stressing that he felt compelled to seek justice despite his emotional attachment to the PDP.
The presiding judge, Justice Peter Lifu, had earlier restrained both the PDP and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from proceeding with or monitoring the convention, pending the determination of Lamido’s substantive suit. The court held that the former governor’s application was meritorious, ruling that Lamido’s exclusion from the process violated internal party democracy and the PDP’s own constitution.
Lamido, who served two terms as Jigawa governor from 2007 to 2015 and was a founding member of the PDP, lamented that he never imagined he would one day have to sue his own party.“In this case, if my party loses, I also lose. I feel like crying, taking this path. When we fight as brothers, the trust is lost, the bond of brotherhood is also lost,” he said.
He explained that his decision to approach the court came after he was denied the opportunity to purchase the PDP national chairmanship nomination form, despite being a bona fide member of the party. Lamido claimed he visited the PDP secretariat on October 27 to obtain the form but was turned away after being told that relevant officials were unavailable.
Reports later emerged that some PDP leaders from the North had endorsed former Minister of Special Duties, Kabiru Turaki (SAN), as their consensus candidate — a move Lamido said he was never informed about.
There were also speculations that Lamido’s exclusion was linked to his alleged sympathy for the African Democratic Congress (ADC), a claim he neither denied nor fully confirmed. “Yes, I support the coming together of the opposition under the ADC, but let it be known I will never leave the PDP. I built this house with my sweat and soul,” he said in an earlier interview.
Delivering his ruling, Justice Lifu faulted the PDP’s failure to publish the timetable for its national convention as required by law, stressing that the balance of convenience favoured Lamido, who would suffer greater harm if unlawfully excluded.
He further emphasised that due process and internal democracy are the bedrock of Nigeria’s constitutional system. “In line with Section 6 of the 1999 Constitution, courts must dispense justice without fear or favour. Anarchy would prevail if courts abdicated their constitutionally assigned duties,” the judge said.
The PDP and INEC have been ordered to maintain the status quo pending the determination of the substantive suit, which has been adjourned to November 13 for judgment.
Lamido’s case has reignited debate within the PDP over internal democracy, fairness, and leadership succession, coming at a critical time as the party struggles to rebuild ahead of the 2027 general elections.
