Consensus Not Binding In PDP, Bode George Defends Lamido’s Right To Run
PDP chieftain Chief Bode George has thrown his weight behind former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido, insisting he has every right to contest for the party’s national chairmanship.
Speaking on Tuesday, the member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Board of Trustees said while consensus arrangements are part of the party’s culture, they do not bar anyone from seeking elective positions.
“This has been part of the PDP’s practice,” George said. “The fact that some leaders converge to support one person as a consensus candidate doesn’t mean others cannot compete.”
He explained that consensus was meant to make the process “seamless and non-combative,” but stressed it was not binding. “Governor Sule Lamido has the right to compete. He can get the form, fill it, and appear on convention day. We will vote — that is our practice,” he said.
George, however, warned members against rushing to court over internal disputes without first exploring the party’s internal mechanisms for conflict resolution.
“This party is not owned by any individual. Before taking the party to court, you must exhaust the internal dynamics of the party. If you fail to do that, you can be punished,” he cautioned.
He noted that while Lamido’s right to contest was guaranteed, taking legal action could attract disciplinary measures. “He is exercising his rights. But if he goes to court, he can be punished. Nobody will deny him the form — the final decision will be made by delegates at the convention, openly,” George added.
Lamido had on Monday threatened legal action against the PDP if denied access to the chairmanship nomination form ahead of the party’s forthcoming national convention.
The former governor, who visited the PDP national secretariat in Abuja to obtain the form, said he was told by National Secretary Senator Samuel Anyanwu and National Organising Secretary Umar Bature that they had no information about its availability.
“I went to the office of the National Organising Secretary, where the forms are usually sold, and it was locked. Both the Secretary and the Organising Secretary said they had no idea where the forms were or how they were printed. It’s quite strange that the custodians of the process are also being locked out,” Lamido told journalists.
Reports later suggested that the chairmanship forms were being controlled by Adamawa State Governor Ahmadu Fintiri, who heads the party’s National Convention Organising Committee.