Court Stops PDP National Convention, Orders Party to Allow Sule Lamido Contest Chairmanship
The Federal High Court in Abuja has halted the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) national convention scheduled for November 15 and 16 in Ibadan, Oyo State.
Delivering judgment on Friday, Justice Peter Lifu ordered that the convention be suspended and restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from supervising or recognising any convention held without including former Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido, as a contestant.
The ruling followed a suit filed by Lamido, who argued that he was unjustly denied the opportunity to obtain a nomination form to vie for the position of National Chairman of the PDP — a move the court said violated the party’s constitution and internal procedures.
Justice Lifu held that the PDP has a duty to create fair opportunities for members to pursue their political ambitions and noted that evidence before the court showed Lamido was unfairly excluded.
As a consequential order, the judge directed the PDP to release the nomination form to Lamido and allow him time to mobilise supporters and campaign before any convention can be held.
“An order is hereby made that before any convention is held, the PDP is to make nomination forms available to the plaintiff.
In light of the above, it is hereby held that the convention be put on hold for the plaintiff to obtain a nomination form, campaign and mobilise supporters,” Justice Lifu declared.
This development follows a similar ruling on November 11 in which Justice Lifu restrained the PDP from holding the convention pending the determination of the substantive suit.
Lamido, through his counsel, Jephthah Njikonye (SAN), had earlier secured an interim injunction stopping the party from proceeding with preparations for the event.
Justice Lifu also referenced an October 31 ruling by Justice James Omotosho of the same court, which halted an earlier attempt by the PDP to hold a national convention and restrained INEC from participating.
Conflicting Order from Oyo Court
In contrast to the Abuja ruling, the Oyo State High Court in Ibadan granted the PDP permission to go ahead with the convention.
Justice A. L. Akintola, ruling on an ex parte application filed by Oyo PDP member Folahan Adelabi, directed INEC to attend and monitor the exercise for the election of new national officers.
The conflicting orders have placed the party in a legal dilemma just days before the scheduled convention.
