Lamido Defends Court Victory Says He Fought for His Rights Not Against PDP

Sule Lamido says his decision to go to court was driven by a need to reclaim his rights within the Peoples Democratic Party, not to wage war against the organisation he helped build.

The former Jigawa governor spoke during a televised interview on Friday, where he described the legal battle as a fight for dignity rather than politics.

He explained that he filed the suit because he was denied the chance to purchase a form to contest for national chairman, stressing that the case was about restoring his honour. He said the court ruling in his favour brought relief but also sadness, as it revealed how much unity and trust had faded within the party.

Lamido expressed worry about the internal cracks in the PDP, recalling its earlier days when the party operated as a close-knit family. He said he could not withdraw his case since judgement had already been delivered, and made it clear he would not attend the party’s planned national convention in Ibadan. He argued that doing so would contradict the very ruling that restored his rights.

He added that the court had barred the PDP from going ahead with the convention, insisting that attending it would amount to abandoning the victory he fought for. He said he would follow the law because loyalty to due process is part of his commitment to the party.

While addressing rumours of meetings with PDP governors, Lamido dismissed such claims and accused the governors of weakening the party. He recalled a time when the PDP controlled 14 states but noted that the number had dropped sharply under the current leadership.

Although he insisted he is not desperate to become national chairman, Lamido said he believes he can help rebuild the party and restore its old structure.

The crisis deepened earlier today when the Federal High Court in Abuja issued a final order stopping the PDP from holding its national convention. The court ruled that Lamido was unfairly denied the chance to contest and directed that the event be put on hold until he is allowed to obtain the nomination form and prepare for the race.