Court halts PDP national convention again over Sule Lamido’s lawsuit
In a dramatic twist, the Federal High Court in Abuja has once again thrown the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) into turmoil — halting its much-anticipated national convention scheduled for November 15 and 16 in Ibadan, Oyo State.
Justice Peter Lifu, presiding over the matter on Tuesday, issued a fresh restraining order, barring both the PDP and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from proceeding with or recognising any outcome from the planned event. The convention was meant to elect new national officers and reshape the opposition party’s leadership.
The ruling followed a suit filed by former Jigawa State governor, Sule Lamido, who accused the party of unlawfully excluding him from the chairmanship contest by refusing to sell him a nomination form.
Justice Lifu, in his decision, faulted the PDP for flouting its own rules and failing to comply with the laws governing internal party elections. He noted that Lamido’s evidence revealed that the timetable and guidelines for the convention were never properly published as required by law, effectively disenfranchising some members.
According to the judge, the “balance of convenience” clearly favoured Lamido, as denying him participation would cause irreparable harm. “Due process must be strictly followed by those in charge,” Justice Lifu declared. “To do otherwise will endanger democracy itself.”
He reminded political actors that the court, under section 6 of the 1999 Constitution, cannot abdicate its duty to deliver justice “without fear or favour.”
In a stern warning, Justice Lifu said anarchy would prevail “any day and anywhere” the judiciary fails to uphold the Constitution.
Concluding, the court issued a categorical injunction restraining the PDP from going ahead with the Ibadan convention — or holding any similar gathering elsewhere — and ordered INEC to steer clear of any supervision or recognition of such an event.
The ruling deepens the uncertainty within the PDP, leaving the party’s leadership race hanging in the balance just days before its scheduled convention.