Former Jigawa State Governor, Alhaji Sule Lamido, has called for the immediate dissolution of the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) Ibadan Convention, which produced ex-Minister Kabiru Turaki (SAN) as a factional national chairman.
Speaking in Kano on Thursday while receiving a delegation of former PDP local government chairmen from Jigawa, Lamido argued that the convention violated the party’s constitution.
He stressed that the tenure of the current acting national chairman, Umar Damagum, alongside the Sam Anyanwu-led National Executive Council, remains valid until December 8, 2025.
Lamido, a member of the PDP Board of Trustees, insisted that no legitimate convention should be held to elect new leaders until the expiration of the existing leadership’s mandate.
He consequently proposed the formation of a caretaker committee to steer the party through its ongoing internal turmoil.
The former Foreign Affairs Minister expressed regret over the deepening division within the party, as different factions, including those led by Turaki and Mohammed Abdulrahman, continue to stake claims to party leadership.
He urged party stakeholders to close ranks before the crisis becomes irreparable.
“We can still resolve these issues amicably,” Lamido said.
“That is why I am calling for the dissolution of the Ibadan convention structure and for a caretaker committee to address the problems and restore unity.”
He stressed the need for forgiveness and internal dialogue, even suggesting that leaders could “sit in one room, argue, insult each other, or even fight, and afterwards reconcile, if that’s what it takes to bring calm back to the party.”
Lamido encouraged patience, saying developments between now and December 9 would determine the next steps.
He added that leaders like Bala Mohammed, Ahmadu Fintiri and Seyi Makinde would not be adversely affected by the decisions taken, but emphasized that the party must protect the interests of its members and supporters.
Addressing questions about his legal battle against the party, Lamido clarified that his intention was not to undermine the PDP leadership.
Rather, he said he went to court to defend the party’s legacy and uphold his own fundamental rights, which he claimed were violated.
Earlier, Jigawa PDP Chairman Ibrahim Babbandi presented a communiqué from the forum of former council chairmen, expressing concern over the worsening state of the party and urging Lamido to guide the political direction of PDP members in the state.
