Sule Lamido: I went to court to reclaim my rights, not to fight PDP

Sule Lamido, former governor of Jigawa, says he went to the court to reclaim his right to contest leadership position within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Lamido spoke on Friday during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today, describing the case as a personal fight for dignity, not a move against the party.

“I went to court not because I have anybody in mind, but I went to get my rights back taken by my party,” the ex-governor said.

“The issue is just about my own personality, dignity and honour being restored more than anything else or being in the court.”

The former governor expressed disappointment at the state of the PDP, lamenting that love, unity and trust within the opposition party have been eroded.

“I won the case, fair enough, but then again, it is also equally tormenting that the case I won is about my party, about our unity, family,” he said.

“A family that was so united and cohesive, with so much love and trust, is all eroded, and we are now simply fighting. And I feel very sad; let the problem be solved.”

‘I’LL STAND BY COURT’

Lamido said he could not withdraw the suit because a judgement has already been delivered, adding that he would not attend the national convention scheduled for November 15 in Ibadan, Oyo state.

“This is very clear. For someone saved by the court, I can’t go where there is an injunction on the convention. How do I go there again? Am I now renouncing something I gained in the court?” he asked.

“If I go to the convention, then it means whatever I have gotten has been washed away.

“There is a certain order from the court which restored my dignity, and therefore I will stand by the court because I am a party man who believes in law and order.

“Therefore, going to Ibadan means a renunciation of what I have gotten. The court gave a very clear injunction that the convention must not hold, so how do I go there? I can’t go there.”

Lamido also dismissed rumours that he met with the PDP governors over the crisis and blamed them for weakening the party.

“PDP had 14 governors; today, there are only three left. We were 14 governors under the chairmanship of the PDP governors’ forum under Bala Mohammed, Bauchi state Governor. Under [Umar] Damagum today, we are only three. Even the three, two of them are going,” he said.

“I mean, the problem came from the governors, because they are so eroded, because they have a wrong notion of themselves. That they are now in charge,” he said.

While stressing that he is “not desperate” to become national chairman, Lamido said he could help restore the PDP’s lost structure.

BACKGROUND

Lamido had sued the party for allegedly denying him the opportunity to purchase the chairmanship nomination form to enable him to participate in the convention.

Earlier today, a federal high court sitting in Abuja made a final order restraining the PDP from conducting its national convention.

Peter Lifu, the presiding judge, gave the order while ruling in a suit filed by the former Jigawa governor.

The court had on November 11 issued a temporary order restraining the party from proceeding with the planned convention pending the determination of the substantive suit.

In his judgement, Lifu held that the evidence before the court established that Lamido was unjustly denied the opportunity to obtain a nomination form to contest the position of national chairman of the party, in violation of the PDP constitution and its internal regulations.

The judge held that the PDP is under a “strict” obligation to adhere to its own rules and regulations by giving opportunities to eligible members to pursue their political aspirations.

Consequently, the judge directed that the planned convention be put on hold to allow Lamido to obtain the nomination form, mobilise supporters, and conduct his campaign.