A Federal High Court in Abuja has prohibited the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from holding its planned National Convention until the substantive suit filed by former Governor of Jigawa State, Sule Lamido, is resolved.
The order was given on Tuesday in a suit by Lamido challenging his inability to get the PDP Nomination Form to contest for the National Chairmanship position despite paying for the Form.
Justice Peter Lifu also barred the Independent National Electoral Commission from supervising, monitoring, or recognising any outcome from the planned convention where national officers were expected to be elected.
It would be recalled that Lamido had dragged the PDP before the Federal High Court in Abuja, seeking an order to halt its forthcoming national convention scheduled for November 15 and 16 in Ibadan, Oyo State.
In the lawsuit marked FHC/ABJ/CD/2229/2025, filed by his counsel, Jephthah Chikodi Njikonye (SAN), former Governor Lamido has requested the court to prevent the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from proceeding with or supervising the upcoming convention.
Lamido alleges 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. He claims that the actions of the PDP violated its constitution and internal guidelines, which guarantee equal opportunities for all eligible members to participate in internal elections.
He argues that the planning process for the convention excluded key stakeholders and did not comply with the party’s constitutional requirements. Lamido contends that the decision to deny him a nomination form constitutes a breach of natural justice and insists that the process should be halted until this issue is resolved.
The plaintiff is seeking a mandatory injunction that would compel the PDP to issue him a nomination form for the position of national chairman before any convention can take place. Additionally, Lamido urges the court to prevent INEC from supervising, aiding, or recognizing any convention conducted without his participation, cautioning that such actions would grant illegal legitimacy to an unconstitutional process.
Previously, Justice Peter Lifu refused to grant Lamido’s request for an interim order restraining the PDP and INEC from proceeding with the convention. Instead, the judge instructed both defendants to appear in court to explain why Lamido’s requests should not be granted. However, on Tuesday, the court ruled in favor of Lamido after the involved parties presented their cases.
