Inside Story: Why PDP Governors’ Forum Opposed Lamido’s Ambition for National Chairmanship

A new report has disclosed that former Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido, was sidelined from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) national chairmanship contest largely due to age-related concerns.

Lamido had earlier threatened to take legal action against the party after he was denied access to the nomination form for the chairmanship position. His outburst came following the party’s endorsement of former Minister of Special Duties, Kabiru Tanimu Turaki (SAN), as its consensus candidate ahead of the national convention scheduled for November 15 and 16 in Ibadan, Oyo State.

Expressing his displeasure, Lamido accused the PDP Governors’ Forum (PDPGF) of imposing a candidate and vowed to defend his right to contest.

But a member of the PDP Governors’ Forum, who spoke to The Guardian on condition of anonymity, explained that the decision to settle for Turaki was not arbitrary, but based on several key factors.

“First, let’s be honest—Sule Lamido is 77 years old as of last August,” the source stated. “While leadership is not strictly about age, we must also learn from history. The party cannot afford to repeat the difficult experience it had under the leadership of Bamanga Tukur.”