The deepening crisis in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) escalated sharply on Friday night as former Jigawa State governor, Sule Lamido; PDP stalwart, Chief Bode George; and FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, squared off over the legality and timing of the party’s proposed national convention.
During a fiery exchange on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Lamido — who recently secured a court order affecting the convention — insisted he is now “a creation of a court order” and cannot take part in what he repeatedly termed an unlawful gathering.
He stressed that the injunction clearly bars the convention from holding until he is recognised as a legitimate contender for the national chairmanship.
Reflecting on his legal action, an emotional Lamido said the suit was not about personal ambition but about restoring his “dignity, honour, and rights” in a party he has loyally served for decades.
“I won the case, but it is tormenting that I had to take my own party to court,” he said, adding that the ruling both vindicated him and exposed “the erosion of trust, love and accommodation” that once defined the PDP.
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Lamido dismissed widespread rumours that he had withdrawn his case or reached a truce with governors, declaring: “The governors today behave like emperors. The PDP was never structured for governors to run down other members or overthrow the foundation of the party.”
But Lamido’s remarks immediately drew sharp rebuttals from Chief Bode George, who expressed astonishment that the former governor went to court at all.
“I am shell-shocked that Lamido took the party to court,” George said, arguing that the process had followed the party’s internal procedures.
“The last NEC meeting, the dates for collection of forms and submission were unveiled and approved by NEC. That is the procedure. Lamido got it all wrong. For about a month, everybody who wanted to contest got the forms, but Lamido came in on the very last day for the return of forms”, he said.
The party elder insisted that the convention would proceed despite Lamido’s objections, citing what he said was judicial backing for the PDP to continue preparations. “I just heard about the judgment he got, but the Supreme Court is clear on the internal affairs of the party. The PDP Convention will go on. The order to continue our operations has been extended by the court till next Monday,” George declared.
His claims were immediately challenged by Wike, who questioned whether George had even read the judgment being relied upon.
“Did Chief Bode George read Justice Omotoso’s judgment? This is what I have always complained about — impunity. Ask Chief George, have we won anything in his Lagos since 1999? It is only in my state where you have members of the national and State Assembly who are PDP.”
He reminded viewers that the last NEC meeting mandated the party to conduct outstanding congresses — including Anambra — rather than rushing into a convention entangled in court disputes. “NEC said conduct the congresses. It’s not about emotions,” he added, in a subtle jab at Chief George’s earlier comments.
Lamido, however, maintained that attending the convention under the present conditions would amount to disowning the court ruling granted in his favour.
He argued that the PDP’s internal decline — reflected in the loss of 11 governors over the years — stemmed from deep-rooted power tussles. Still, he expressed confidence in his capacity to help revive the party, declaring: “I can go to Obasanjo, Jonathan, Atiku, and others and ask them to return.”
This party made them. I believe the PDP can save Nigeria again if we restore its old values.”
