The Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed November 13 for judgement in the suit filed by former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido, challenging his exclusion from contesting for the position of National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Justice Peter Lifu announced the date after counsel for all parties, namely Lamido’s lawyer Jeph Njikonye (SAN), PDP’s counsel Omokayode Dada (SAN), counsel to the joined parties Joseph Daudu (SAN), and INEC’s representative, adopted their processes and presented arguments for and against the case.
Justice Lifu had earlier restrained the PDP from proceeding with its planned national convention pending the determination of Lamido’s substantive suit.
The court also barred the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from monitoring or recognising the outcome of the convention until the case is resolved.
Lamido’s Application Has Merit
In his earlier ruling, Justice Lifu held that Lamido’s application had merit, noting that the former governor would suffer greater hardship if unlawfully excluded from the convention.
He said Lamido’s evidence showed that the PDP failed to publish the timetable for the convention as required by law.
The judge added that due process must be strictly observed in a constitutional democracy, warning that failure to do so could endanger democratic principles.
He emphasised that, under Section 6 of the 1999 Constitution, courts must not shy away from dispensing justice without fear or favour.
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After allowing the parties to regularise their filings, the court took final submissions and set November 13 for judgement.
Speaking with journalists after the proceedings, Lamido expressed sadness over having to take his party to court, describing it as a painful decision despite the interim order that restrained the PDP from holding its convention.
I Feel Bad Dragging my Party To Court – Lamido
“I feel bad dragging my party to court,” Lamido said. “If my party loses, I also lose. When we fight as brothers, the trust and bond of brotherhood are lost.”
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The former Foreign Affairs Minister explained that he resorted to legal action only after the party denied him the opportunity to purchase the nomination form for the national chairmanship position, despite being a bona fide member.
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Earlier, Lamido, through a motion ex parte filed on October 31, sought an interim order to stop the PDP from proceeding with the convention, arguing that doing otherwise would breach the party’s constitution and deny him his right to contest.
On the same day, Justice James Omotosho of a coordinate court issued a similar order stopping INEC from supervising or recognising the outcome of the convention scheduled for November 15 and 16 in Ibadan, Oyo State, citing the PDP’s failure to issue the mandatory 21 days’ notice required by law.
Rafiyat Sadiq is a political, justice, and human rights reporter with Pinnacle Daily, known for fearless reporting and impactful storytelling. At Pinnacle Daily, she brings clarity and depth to issues shaping governance, democracy, and the protection of citizens’ rights.
