The PDP’s race for National Chairman just blew up. And it’s messy. Real messy.

By: Abudu Olalekan

Former Jigawa Governor Sule Lamido – a heavyweight in the party – has flat-out rejected the endorsement of Tanimu Turaki (SAN) as the consensus candidate. He’s not just unhappy; he’s threatening to drag the whole party to court. All this, just weeks before the November 15-16 national convention in Ibadan.

The Scene at Wadata Plaza
Picture this: Lamido rolls up at the PDP secretariat in Abuja around 11 am, supporters in tow, ready to buy his nomination form. What he found? Locked doors. No one home.

“I came here to buy my form,” Lamido told reporters, shaking his head. “Went to the National Organising Secretary’s office? Locked. Met the National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu. Both said they had no idea where the forms were. Not printed? Not sold? Weird, right?”

Lamido wasn’t buying it.

“If the party can’t organize its own house,” he snapped, “how do we plan to beat APC in 2027? We’ll lose. Simple as that. No discipline? No focus? We’re done.”

He’s vowing to go to court if he doesn’t get access to those forms. Fast.

Why the Sudden Meltdown?
It all traces back to a “consensus deal” that’s now crumbling faster than a bad biscuit.

Back in August, the PDP’s NEC zoned the 2027 presidential ticket to the South and the National Chairmanship to the North. Northern leaders then “micro-zoned” the chairmanship to the North-West.

Enter Tanimu Turaki. Governors – led by Adamawa’s Ahmadu Fintiri – quickly endorsed him as the consensus pick. Turaki? He’s a former Minister of Special Duties. Known as a steady hand.

But here’s the catch: Lamido’s camp says they were never consulted.

“We were supposed to meet Wednesday in Zamfara,” Lamido grumbled. “Hall booked at the Hilton. But then? They rushed a meeting Tuesday. We never sat together. The zone never met. That’s the problem.”

Turaki’s team fires back. Umar Sani, a key North-West PDP leader and Turaki ally, waved an acknowledgement slip proving Turaki submitted his forms on time (October 27 – the deadline).

“Lamido went to the wrong place,” Sani said flatly. “Today’s for submitting forms, not buying. And consultations? They happened. Governors, senators, stakeholders – all there. Taraba’s governor sent a senator. It was proper.”

Sani insists Turaki’s not scared of anyone. “He’s been in the PDP forever. Lost a presidential primary before but stayed. He’ll bring fairness, discipline. He’s neutral – not with Wike’s faction, not with the Governors’ Forum. That’s what we need.”

Postponement Adds Fuel
To make things worse, the party just suspended screening of aspirants. Originally set for Tuesday (October 28), the National Convention Organising Committee (NCOC) – chaired by Gov. Fintiri – pulled the plug.

“No reason given,” Lamido muttered. “Just ‘unforeseen circumstances.’ Sounds like a cop-out. And now? Screening’s delayed. New date? Who knows.”

In a statement, Fintiri’s committee apologized:

“We regret the inconvenience. A new date will be communicated. We remain committed to a credible convention on November 15-16 in Ibadan.”

But insiders whisper: This delay reeks of internal warfare.

The Bigger Picture
Lamido’s not just fighting for a form. He wants the PDP rebuilt – his way.

“My goal?” he said, voice low. “See this party united. Stable. Focused on rescuing Nigeria from APC. But you can’t win elections if we’re fighting ourselves. If we ignore our own constitution? We’re finished.”

Meanwhile, Nyesom Wike – the FCT Minister – is quietly backing his ally, Samuel Ortom (ex-Benue Governor), for chairman. So now you’ve got:

Turaki (governors’ consensus)
Lamido (threatening court)
Ortom (Wike’s pick)
Three strong contenders. Zero unity.

What Now?
The convention’s in November. But with lawsuits looming, a postponed screening, and factions yelling over who got consulted, it feels like the PDP’s heading for a train wreck.

Turaki’s camp says they’re “pushing ahead.” Lamido’s prepping for court. And the party? Still trying to look united.

“It’s a family,” Lamido insisted. “We’ll never truly fight. We have to win.”

But right now? It sure doesn’t feel like a family. Feels more like a divorce lawyer’s office.