The Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday halted the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) national convention scheduled for Saturday and Sunday in Ibadan, Oyo State.
Justice Peter Lifu, in a judgment delivered in the suit filed by former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido, also restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from supervising, monitoring, or recognising any convention conducted without Lamido’s inclusion as a contestant.
The court held that evidence before it showed Lamido was unfairly denied access to obtain the nomination form to contest for the party’s national chairmanship, in violation of the PDP Constitution and its regulations.
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Justice Lifu ruled that the party must provide equal opportunity for members to vie for positions, noting that political parties are obligated to put mechanisms in place to allow members to pursue their ambitions.
As a consequential order, the judge directed the PDP to suspend the planned convention to enable Lamido to obtain the form, mobilise supporters, and run his campaign.
This Judgement aligns with an earlier ruling by Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja’s ruling, which placed the convention on hold, citing the party’s failure to abide by its own rules.
Omotosho anchored his ruling on the failure by the leadership of the party to have its designated officials sign the notice of the convention before transmitting the same to the Independent National Electoral Commission.
Oyo Court Orders The Go Ahead Of Convention
As a result, the judge barred INEC from monitoring the event.
Relief, however, came the way of the Damagum-led NWC when Justice Ladiran Akintola of the Oyo State High Court, through an ex parte motion, directed the PDP to conduct the convention.
On Wednesday, the Lekan Salami Stadium, venue of the convention, wore a new look, with massive decorations in the party’s colours still ongoing as of Thursday morning.
According to Punch, over 3,000 delegates from the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory are expected to attend the event.
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.
