Former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Bode George, has said that no aspirant, including former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido, is barred from contesting for the party’s national chairmanship at the upcoming November 2025 elective convention.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Tuesday, George stated that while the party may seek a consensus candidate, such arrangements are not binding, and any qualified member is free to obtain nomination forms and stand for election.

“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,” he said.

“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 convention day. We will vote. That is the practice in our party.”

Gossip News Now earlier reported that Lamido had expressed interest in the position but alleged that he was denied access to purchase the expression of interest and nomination forms when he visited the PDP national secretariat on Monday.

He subsequently threatened to take legal action if he was prevented from contesting in the upcoming convention in Ibadan, Oyo State.

Reacting, Bode George — who also serves as a member of the PDP Board of Trustees (BoT) — cautioned Lamido against taking the party to court without first exploring internal conflict resolution mechanisms, warning 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 said.

George reaffirmed that Lamido remains free to contest but stressed that all aspirants must respect the party’s constitution and processes.

“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 at the convention, and it will be open and transparent,” George concluded.