Veteran politician and former Governor of Jigawa State, Sule Lamido, has officially declared his intention to run for the position of National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The announcement comes ahead of the party’s national elective convention scheduled for November 15–16 in Ibadan, Oyo State.
Lamido’s decision places him in a field of aspirants including former Kaduna State Governor Ahmed Makarfi and ex-Minister for Special Duties, Tanimu Turaki (SAN).
In a statement marking his entry into the race, Lamido affirmed his commitment to leading the party at a critical juncture. He said:
“I want to restore the party.”
He also stressed that
“It is my right to contest, despite any decisions reached by the governors.”
Lamido’s bid comes amid contestation over whether the chairmanship slot should be filled through consensus or elective means. While a section of PDP governors have reportedly endorsed Turaki as a consensus candidate, Lamido and others in the North-West zone are challenging that move, arguing for an open competitive process.
As the party heads into its convention, the screening of aspirants has been entrusted to a 13-member committee chaired by Eyitayo Jegede (SAN), tasked with sorting eligibility ahead of the vote.
Lamido’s bid signals a deepening contest within the PDP over leadership direction, internal democracy and zone rotation policies as the party seeks to rebuild ahead of future elections.
