Former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido and ex-PDP National Organising Secretary Umar Bature have called on former party leaders Ambassador Illya Damagum and Senator Samuel Anyanwu to intervene in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leadership crisis before their tenures expire on December 8.
Speaking separately to ThisDay, both Lamido and Bature argued that only Damagum and Anyanwu could officially engage the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to stabilise the party, as their signatures remain valid until the expiration of the Damagum-led executive.
Lamido stressed that time is running out for the PDP to resolve its internal dispute ahead of upcoming elections.
“The NWC led by Damagum was elected four years ago, and as far as the PDP constitution is concerned, only Damagum and Anyanwu can write to INEC to call a national executive committee meeting and usher in an interim national executive committee.
”Otherwise, the party is in deep trouble,” he said.
Bature echoed this sentiment, noting that the tenure of the current signatories ends on December 8, 2025.
“Our appeal is for the recognised INEC signatories to act swiftly, because after December 8, INEC will no longer listen to anyone.
”Waiting for the courts could take too long, and elections are fast approaching,” he added.
However, PDP’s newly elected National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, described the appeals by Lamido and Bature as belated.
According to him, the party has already moved into the Court of Appeal regarding its leadership dispute.
He noted that as senior figures in the party, Lamido and Bature were complicit in the crisis, having earlier pursued judicial intervention instead of resolving the issues internally.
“The concerns of Lamido and Bature are coming late.
”As party elders, they were part of the problem, taking the party to court at an early stage rather than using internal mechanisms.
The party is now before the Court of Appeal, and we are seeking an accelerated hearing,” Ememobong said.
Meanwhile, Umar Sani, former spokesman to ex-Vice President Namadi Sambo and ally of PDP National Chairman Kabiru Turaki, appealed to Lamido to support efforts to unify the party.
Sani clarified that no court barred the PDP from holding its national convention.
”Instead, courts merely directed the party to allow Lamido to participate after proper verification, a ruling that is now under appeal to the Supreme Court.
He urged Lamido to prioritise party cohesion over personal grievances, highlighting the long-standing cordial relationship between Lamido and Turaki and their capacity to guide the party away from internal conflict.
The PDP has maintained that its November 15–16 national convention remains legally valid, citing approval from the Oyo State High Court.
Meanwhile, the party awaits the Court of Appeal’s judgment on ongoing disputes over the legitimacy of its newly elected leadership.
