The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered Nigerian main opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), to suspend its national convention scheduled for November 15–16 in Ibadan, Oyo State.
The ruling, delivered Friday by Justice Peter Lifu, also barred the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from supervising or recognising any convention held without including former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido as a contestant.
Justice Lifu held that evidence before the court showed Lamido was “unjustly denied the nomination form to contest the position of National Chairman,” in breach of the PDP Constitution and internal guidelines. He ruled that the party has a duty to provide equal opportunities for members to pursue their political ambitions.
As a consequential order, the court directed the PDP to put the convention on hold and make nomination forms available to Lamido, allowing him time to “obtain the form, campaign and mobilise supporters.” The judge added: “The convention shall not proceed until these conditions are met.”
Friday’s ruling reinforces an earlier November 11 decision by the same judge restraining the party from holding the event pending the determination of Lamido’s substantive suit. Justice Lifu also referenced a similar October 31 ruling by Justice James Omotosho, which halted the PDP convention and restrained INEC from participating.
Lamido, through his counsel Jephthah Njikonye (SAN), argued that proceeding with the scheduled convention would violate the PDP Constitution and unlawfully deprive him of the chance to run for national chairman—an office he insists he is qualified to seek.
Meanwhile, in a conflicting development, the Oyo State High Court in Ibadan approved for the PDP to proceed with the convention. Justice A. L. Akintola, ruling on an ex parte application by PDP member Folahan Adelabi, directed INEC to attend and monitor the election of new national officers.
