A Federal High Court in Abuja has once again stopped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from holding its planned national convention scheduled to take place in Ibadan, Oyo State, on November 15 and 16.
Justice Peter Lifu issued a fresh restraining order on Tuesday, barring both the PDP and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from proceeding with, supervising, monitoring, or recognising any outcome from the planned convention where new national officers were expected to emerge.
The ruling followed an application by former Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido, who told the court that he was unjustly denied the opportunity to purchase the nomination form for the position of National Chairman, effectively excluding him from the leadership contest.
Justice Lifu held that available evidence showed that the PDP failed to publish the timetable and guidelines for the exercise as required by law. He noted that the party’s actions breached internal procedures and violated provisions guiding political party conventions under Nigerian law.
“In a constitutional democracy, due process of law must be strictly observed by those in authority. To act otherwise is to endanger the very foundation of democracy itself,” the judge ruled.
He further stated that the balance of convenience favored Lamido, adding that allowing the convention to go on would inflict “greater and irreparable harm” on the former governor who had been sidelined from the process.
The court therefore ordered that the PDP be restrained from holding the convention on the scheduled dates or at any other time or location until the pending suit is heard and determined.
It also barred INEC from monitoring, recognizing, or giving effect to any outcome of such a convention.
The latest ruling is the second time in recent weeks that a court has halted preparations for the PDP convention.
In October, another Federal High Court in Abuja presided over by Justice James Omotosho issued a similar order in a suit filed by three aggrieved party officials — Imo PDP Chairman Austin Nwachukwu, Abia PDP Chairman Amah Abraham Nnanna, and PDP South-South Secretary Turnah Alabh George.
They argued that the PDP was set to violate the Electoral Act and its internal constitution by proceeding with the convention without proper procedures and consultations.
However, on November 4, the Oyo State High Court granted an interim order permitting the PDP to continue planning the convention, leading to conflicting judicial positions and internal party tensions.
That matter has since been adjourned to enable parties file necessary processes.
With the latest Abuja Federal High Court decision, the party is now effectively barred from holding the convention unless it succeeds in appealing the ruling or resolving the issues raised.
