Abuja, Nigeria – For the second time in two weeks, the Federal High Court in Abuja has stopped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from proceeding with its planned 2025 National Convention scheduled for November 15 and 16 in Ibadan, Oyo State. The court also barred the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from supervising, monitoring, or recognizing any outcome from the exercise.
Justice Peter Odo Lifu, in a ruling delivered on Tuesday, issued the fresh restraining order following an application by former Jigawa State Governor and founding member of the PDP, Sule Lamido, who alleged that he was unlawfully denied the opportunity to purchase the nomination form for the chairmanship position.
The judge held that the PDP failed to comply with legal and constitutional requirements guiding the conduct of national conventions, including the publication of a proper timetable to notify members of the exercise.
“The balance of convenience tilts towards the applicant,” Justice Lifu ruled, noting that Lamido would suffer greater harm if excluded from the process. The judge emphasized that adherence to due process is fundamental to democracy, warning that failure to do so would endanger the democratic system.
He further stated that the court would not abdicate its constitutional responsibility under Section 6 of the 1999 Constitution to ensure justice is done “without fear or favour.”
Consequently, Justice Lifu restrained the PDP from proceeding with the convention in Ibadan or any other venue until the substantive issues in the suit are determined. He also prohibited INEC from supervising or recognizing any convention outcome conducted in violation of the order.
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It would be recalled that on October 31, Justice James Omotosho of the same court issued a similar order, citing the party’s failure to issue the mandatory 21-day notice to INEC as required by law. Justice Omotosho also ruled that the PDP’s disregard for due process had placed the planned convention “in jeopardy.”
With Tuesday’s ruling, the PDP’s plan to elect new national officers ahead of the 2027 general elections faces yet another major legal setback.
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