A member of the Peoples Democratic Party Board of Trustees, Chief Bode George, has urged members of the party to resolve internal disputes through its internal mechanisms before resorting to litigation.
Speaking on Tuesday during an interview on a Television talkshow, George cautioned against the growing trend of members rushing to court over party matters, stressing that such actions could attract disciplinary measures.
“This party is not owned by any individual. Before taking the party to court, you must exhaust the internal dynamics of the party. If you fail to do that, you can be punished,” he warned.
George made the comment while reacting to former Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido’s threat to take legal action against the PDP if he was denied access to the nomination form for the national chairmanship position.
Lamido had on Monday visited the party’s national secretariat in Abuja to obtain the form but was informed by the National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, and the National Organising Secretary, Umar Bature, that they had no information about its availability.
Briefing journalists afterwards, Lamido expressed dissatisfaction with the situation, insisting that as a founding member, he has the right to participate in the party’s democratic process.
“I went to the office of the National Organising Secretary, which is normally where the forms are sold, and the office was locked.
“I met him with the party’s Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, and both of them said they had no idea where the forms were or even how they were printed. So, I found it a little weird that the custodians of the system are also being locked out,” Lamido said.
Reports later indicated that the PDP chairmanship forms were under the control of Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Fintiri, who also serves as chairman of the party’s National Convention Organising Committee (NCOC).
Reacting to the development, George affirmed that Lamido has every right to contest the position, saying that while the PDP encourages consensus, it does not bar anyone from seeking elective office within the party.
“This has been part of the practice in the PDP. The fact that some leaders converge to support one person as a consensus candidate doesn’t mean others cannot compete,” George said.
The PDP chieftain stressed that consensus is an acceptable procedure in the PDP but not binding on aspirants.
“You want to make the process seamless and non-combative. We’ve done this before, but the party has never told anyone they cannot contest. Governor Sule Lamido has the right to compete.
“He can get the form, fill it, and appear on the convention day. We will vote. That is the practice in our party,” he said.
George reiterated that although Lamido was within his rights to seek election, going to court over the matter would be premature.
“So, he is exercising his rights. But if he goes to court for this, he can be punished.
“Let him go, nobody will deny him any form, and he can compete. The final decision will be made by delegates attending the convention, and it will be done openly,” he added.
Punch
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