Former Governor Alleges Political Sabotage Within PDP
In a shocking revelation that has sent ripples through Nigeria's political landscape, former Jigawa State governor Sule Lamido has openly accused governors from his own Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of deliberately sabotaging his ambition to become the party's national chairman.
The veteran politician made these serious allegations during an exclusive interview with the Hausa Service of the BBC, where he claimed that his fellow party members actively worked against his leadership bid because they feared they couldn't control him if he assumed the powerful position.
The Phone Call That Exposed Everything
Lamido provided specific details about how the alleged sabotage unfolded, pointing directly to Bauchi State governor Bala Mohammed, who currently serves as the chairman of the PDP Governors Forum. According to Lamido, Mohammed made a direct phone call to him where he explicitly asked him to abandon his candidacy for the party's top position.
"Bala, the governor of Bauchi, called and said, 'My elder brother, you are stronger than us. If we make you chairman, we can't influence you,'" Lamido recounted during the interview that took place yesterday.
The former governor didn't hold back in his response to what he perceived as an attempt to control the party's direction. "I told him, 'When PDP was formed, you were not there; you didn't know the party. You are a new man in it. The party with history should not be possessed by one person,'" Lamido stated, emphasizing his commitment to the party's original ideals.
Legal Battles and Convention Controversy
The political drama escalated when Lamido revealed that he was systematically denied access to nomination forms, forcing him to seek legal recourse through the courts. Even more concerning was his claim that despite obtaining a favorable court order, the governors defiantly appealed against the ruling, effectively continuing their blockade of his candidacy.
Lamido didn't mince words when discussing the eventual outcome of the party's leadership selection process. He completely disowned the new leadership that produced Tanimu Turaki as chairman, going so far as to label the entire convention process as "null and void" in his assessment.
The former governor's allegations suggest deep internal divisions within the main opposition party, raising questions about its unity and direction ahead of future elections.
Call for External Intervention
In what appears to be a desperate move to salvage the party's integrity, Lamido has called upon prominent stakeholders to intervene and help reorganize the PDP. Among those he specifically mentioned was former President Olusegun Obasanjo, indicating his belief that external mediation might be necessary to resolve the internal crisis.
Lamido emphasized that such intervention is crucial not only for the party's future but also for redefining Nigeria's democracy and development trajectory. His statements highlight the significant role he believes a properly functioning opposition party plays in the country's political health.
This public airing of grievances represents one of the most direct confrontations within the PDP leadership in recent times and could have far-reaching implications for the party's cohesion and electoral prospects moving forward.
