A Federal High Court in Abuja has again stopped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from going ahead with its planned national convention scheduled for November 15 and 16 in Ibadan, Oyo State.
Justice Peter Lifu, who issued the fresh order on Tuesday, also barred the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from supervising, monitoring, or recognising the outcome of the convention where new national officers were expected to emerge.
The order followed an application filed by a former governor of Jigawa State, Sule Lamido, who accused the PDP leadership of denying him the opportunity to purchase the chairmanship nomination form, thereby unlawfully excluding him from the race.
Justice Lifu held that the party failed to comply with constitutional and procedural requirements for organising its national convention, stressing that such disregard for due process undermines internal democracy.
“The court cannot close its eyes to illegality. When a constitution provides a process, that process must be followed strictly. To do otherwise is to endanger democracy itself,” the judge declared.
He noted that evidence before the court showed the PDP did not publish the timetable for the convention as required by law, thereby excluding members who might have been interested in contesting various positions.
According to him, the balance of convenience favoured Lamido, who would suffer greater injustice if he were unlawfully barred from participating in the process.
“In line with Section 6 of the 1999 Constitution, the court must not abdicate its duty to dispense justice without fear or favour. Where courts fail to act, anarchy becomes the order of the day,” Justice Lifu said.
The judge consequently restrained the PDP from holding the convention in Ibadan or any other location pending the determination of the substantive suit. He also ordered INEC not to monitor or recognise any outcome from the proposed event.
This is the second time in recent months that the court has halted the PDP’s plans to hold a national convention amid deepening internal crises and leadership tussles threatening to fracture the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.
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