KEY POINTS

• The PDP nomination dispute intensified after Lamido challenged the process.

• George insisted the PDP nomination dispute stemmed from a misunderstanding.

• The PDP nomination dispute has widened internal cracks ahead of the convention.

Bode George, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party’s Board of Trustees, stated that former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido acted against the party due to a misguided comprehension of the nomination process for the PDP’s 2025 national convention. His remarks were made during an appearance on Channels Television’s *Politics Today*, where he expressed surprise that Lamido opted for legal action instead of according to the party’s established protocols.

PDP nomination dispute heats up

George stated that the nomination procedures were sanctioned during the latest meeting of the National Executive Committee. He elucidated that the NEC established the timetable for candidates, encompassing the dates for acquiring nomination forms and the deadline for their submission. He stated that the instructions were unequivocal and applicable to all competitors.

He stated that all candidates complied except for Lamido. George recounted a scenario in which other competitors attended in person, remitted the necessary fees, and finalized the procedure without complications.

George stated that transforming that into a lawsuit generated unwarranted strain in a party already grappling with internal conflicts. He stated that the party remained stable despite the discord and emphasized that the national convention would still occur. A court order, he elucidated, allows the party to persist in its activities until Monday, with an additional ruling anticipated on December 8. George characterized the PDP as a “Iroko,” asserting that the party’s structure remained unblemished despite recent tensions.

Stakeholders react to PDP nomination dispute

Lamido, who also participated in the program, stated that the case was not intended to undermine the PDP. He stated that he attended court to save his personal dignity and to recover what he perceives as his rights within the party. Although he acknowledged the favorable ruling, he stated that the incident revealed a more profound deterioration of trust inside the PDP. A party previously characterized by cohesion and collective objectives, he remarked, had devolved into internal conflicts that caused him distress.

According to Punch, he stated that the verdict had already been rendered, rendering it difficult for him to retract the case. Lamido additionally said that certain PDP governors are exacerbating the problem, although he refrained from identifying them.

He stated that the injunction was unequivocal. Having requested the court’s assistance, he stated that he could not attend an event subject to judicial restrictions. He contended that attending the gathering would invalidate his legal accomplishments.