Federal High Court stops PDP’s November 15–16 convention, bars INEC from monitoring exercise until Sule Lamido is cleared to buy nomination form…
Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja has issued a final order stopping the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from holding its 2025 national convention scheduled for November 15 and 16 in Ibadan, Oyo State.
The ruling followed a suit filed by former Jigawa State governor, Sule Lamido, who accused the party of violating its constitution by denying him the opportunity to purchase a nomination form to contest for the position of national chairman.
Delivering judgment, Justice Lifu directed the PDP to suspend all preparations for the convention until it complies fully with its own constitution and guidelines. He held that Lamido must be allowed to obtain the nomination form before the party can proceed.
The court further barred the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from supervising or participating in the planned convention until Lamido is given the opportunity to contest.
Justice Lifu stressed that the PDP has a strict obligation to abide by its internal rules and ensure that eligible members are not unjustly excluded from the party’s electoral processes.
Lamido had filed an ex parte motion on October 31 through his lawyer, Jeph Njikonye, asking the court to stop the convention pending the determination of his substantive motion. Justice Lifu initially declined the request but ordered the PDP and INEC to show cause within 72 hours why his reliefs should not be granted. The matter was adjourned to November 6.
Conflicting Court Orders Deepen PDP Crisis
The PDP convention has been mired in controversy following conflicting court rulings. On November 4, the Oyo State High Court ordered the party and its acting national chairman, Umar Damagum, to proceed with the convention.
That ruling delivered by Justice A. L. Akintola, prompted some allies of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike to petition the National Judicial Council (NJC), accusing the judge of judicial misconduct.
PDP Governors Insist Convention Must Hold
Despite the legal battles, PDP governors have maintained that the national elective convention must go ahead. The position was reached at a meeting of key stakeholders on Thursday night at the Bauchi State Governor’s Lodge in Abuja.
The gathering included members of the National Working Committee, governors, former governors, National Assembly members, Board of Trustees members and state party chairmen.
Saraki Calls for Caretaker Committee Instead
Amid the escalating tensions, former Senate President Bukola Saraki has called for the temporary suspension of the convention.
Receiving the PDP Board of Trustees reconciliation team on Wednesday, Saraki advised the party to appoint a caretaker committee to manage its affairs until the disputes are resolved.
“This must be done in the next two days,” Saraki wrote on X. “It is the path to true reconciliation and stability, and the best way to assure our members who plan to contest elections on the PDP platform.”
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