The widening internal conflict within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) escalated sharply on Friday night as ex-Jigawa State governor Sule Lamido, party elder Chief Bode George, and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Nyesom Wike engaged in a fierce public confrontation over the status and legitimacy of the party’s planned national convention.
Appearing on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Lamido, who recently secured a court ruling that directly affects preparations for the convention, argued emphatically that he has become “a creation of a court order” and cannot take part in what he repeatedly labelled an unlawful process.
He stressed that the court’s directive explicitly halted the convention until his name is listed as an eligible contender for the position of national chairman.
In an emotional recollection of the events leading to his legal challenge, Lamido said he was compelled by principle rather than ambition, insisting that his case was about recovering his “dignity, honour, and rights” within a political family he had stood by for many years.
“I won the case, but it is tormenting that I had to take my own party to court,” he reflected, noting that the court’s decision both justified his stance and revealed “the erosion of trust, love and accommodation” that once defined the PDP’s identity.
Lamido rejected circulating claims that he had resolved the matter with governors or withdrawn the suit, issuing a sharp rebuke: “The governors today behave like emperors.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.”
His assertions immediately triggered a strong disagreement from Chief Bode George, who said he was stunned that Lamido chose litigation at all.
“I am shell-shocked that Lamido took the party to court,” George said, maintaining that the convention plans followed proper internal procedures.
According to him, “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”.
George insisted the convention would proceed regardless of Lamido’s protests, claiming judicial support for the PDP’s continued 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,” he stated.
However, Wike swiftly challenged George’s interpretation, questioning whether he had even reviewed the judgment he cited.
“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.”
Wike argued that there was no legal ground for insisting on moving forward with the convention. “There is no court judgment ordering that the convention should go on,” he said firmly.
He reminded the audience that the last NEC meeting had mandated the party to conduct certain congresses, not rush into a convention entangled in legal uncertainty. “NEC meeting said do congresses of Anambra and others. It is not about you feeling emotional,” he added, in a subtle jab at George’s earlier remarks.
Lamido maintained that showing up at the convention under the current conditions would amount to stripping himself of the judicial victory he secured.
He linked the PDP’s internal troubles—including the loss of 11 governors over the years—to deep-seated power tussles. Yet he expressed optimism that renewal is possible, saying, “I can go to Obasanjo, Jonathan, Atiku and others and tell them to come back.
This party made them. I believe the PDP can save Nigeria again if we restore its old values.”
What You Should Know
The PDP is facing a major internal standoff over its national convention, with Sule Lamido insisting that a court ruling halts preparations until he is recognised as a valid contestant.
Bode George maintains the process is legitimate, while Nyesom Wike disputes the legality of proceeding. The clash highlights deeper fractures within the party, fuelled by longstanding power struggles and a series of electoral setbacks.
Despite the turbulence, Lamido believes the party can still recover its stature if it returns to its founding principles.
