November 14, (THEWILL) — The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Friday issued a restraining order stopping the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from proceeding with its national convention scheduled to hold this Saturday and Sunday in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
Justice Peter Lifu gave the order while ruling in a suit filed by former Governor of Jigawa State, Sule Lamido Lamido, to challenge what he described as “unlawfully and illegally denied” access to the nomination form required to contest for the position of national chairman at the Ibadan convention.
Lamido had dragged the PDP before the Federal High Court in Abuja, seeking an order to halt the national convention. In his suit marked FHC/ABJ/CD/2229/2025, filed by his counsel, Jephthah Chikodi Njikonye (SAN), Lamido asked the court to restrain the PDP and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from proceeding with or supervising the convention.
The former governor alleged that he was “unlawfully and illegally denied” access to the nomination form required to contest for the position of national chairman at the Ibadan convention.
According to him, the PDP’s actions violated the provisions of its constitution and internal guidelines, which guarantee equal opportunity for all eligible members to participate in internal elections.
Lamido contended that the convention’s planning process had excluded key stakeholders and failed to adhere to the party’s constitutional requirements. He argued that the leadership’s decision to deny him a nomination form amounted to a breach of natural justice, insisting that the process should be halted until the anomaly is corrected.
Praying the court for a mandatory injunction compelling the PDP to issue him a nomination form for the position of national chairman before any convention can hold, Lamido also urged the court to bar INEC from supervising, aiding, or recognising any convention conducted without his participation, warning that doing so would give illegal legitimacy to an otherwise unconstitutional process.
Delivering judgement on Friday, Justice Lifu held that Lamido was unjustly denied access to the nomination form required to contest for the position of National Chairman. The court noted that the denial violated both the PDP Constitution and the party’s internal regulations, which guarantee equal participation and opportunity for all eligible members.
The judge stressed that political parties must uphold their constitutions and adhere strictly to democratic principles. He emphasised that the PDP has a duty to ensure fairness and inclusivity in its internal processes, particularly in leadership contests that shape the future and credibility of the party.
Justice Lifu further ruled that by preventing Lamido from obtaining the nomination form, the party failed in its obligation to provide its members with opportunities to serve. He added that deliberate mechanisms must be put in place to enable members to pursue and realise their political aspirations without hindrance.
As part of the consequential orders, the court directed the PDP to put the Ibadan convention on hold until Lamido is given the opportunity to obtain the nomination form. The judge also mandated that he be allowed sufficient time to mobilise his supporters and prosecute his campaign for the national chairmanship.
The court further restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from supervising, monitoring or recognising any convention conducted without the participation of Lamido.
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