 Board of Trustees member, Chief Bode George, has said former Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido,){kind=link}
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Board of Trustees member, Chief Bode George, has said former Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido, acted on a wrong interpretation of the party’s nomination procedures for its 2025 national convention.
George, who spoke on Channels Television’s Politics Today yesterday, said he was surprised that Lamido opted for litigation, insisting the former governor disregarded the approved guidelines.
He explained that the nomination rules were duly endorsed at the last National Executive Committee meeting and clearly communicated to all aspirants.
“At the last NEC meeting we had, the date for the collection of forms for those who wanted to contest was stipulated.
“What they are supposed to do and when they are supposed to return the forms were all well stated and approved by NEC. That is the procedure,” he explained.
George said all aspirants complied with the process except Lamido, noting that the former governor failed to obtain the form within the stipulated timeframe and only showed up on the final day meant for the submission of completed forms.
“Everybody who wanted to collect forms was live, paid the normal dues, and they got the form. But on his (Lamido’s) own side, he came physically on the very day that the return of forms closed.
“Of course, with his status, if he had called them (NEC) earlier or told them that he wanted to take this form, they would have obliged because of his status.
“But to now take that to court because they didn’t give him the form? That day was the last day to return the forms, so did he do what is right?” he asked.
He stressed that the PDP remains united despite ongoing legal battles and internal disagreements, assuring party faithful that recent events would not derail its operations.
“I want to reassure you that this party is solid, undivided, and the way things went on, I am hell-shocked that he (Sule Lamido) took the party to court,” he said.
Describing the PDP as “an Iroko,” he maintained that the party’s national convention would hold as scheduled, noting that judicial directives had permitted the party to proceed with preparations.
“The convention will go on. The court under Justice Akintola has given its own judgment. He stated that the order to continue our operations has been extended till Monday next week and that he will give his own judgement on 8 December.
“The majority of the members of the party know that this party is the Iroko, a political party in Nigeria. There is no organisation that will not have disagreements or debates, all kinds of things,” he said.