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.
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