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By Oscar Okhifo
The Federal High Court in Abuja has again stopped the 2025 National Convention of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), earlier scheduled to take place in Ibadan, Oyo State, on November 15 and 16.
Justice Peter Lifu issued the order while delivering judgment in a suit filed by former Jigawa State governor, Sule Lamido, who accused the party of denying him access to the nomination form to contest for the office of National Chairman.
Lamido had approached the court seeking an order to stop the PDP from proceeding with the convention until he was allowed to obtain the form.
After hearing the motion on notice on November 11, the court granted an interim injunction blocking the event pending determination of the substantive suit.
In Friday’s judgment on the main suit, Justice Lifu again restrained the PDP from holding the convention until it complies with its constitution and electoral guidelines.
He held that Lamido must be allowed to purchase the nomination form and freely campaign for the chairmanship position.
The court also barred the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from supervising, monitoring, or recognizing any outcome of the Ibadan convention until Lamido is allowed to participate fully in the process.
Justice Lifu ruled that the PDP acted in clear breach of its own rules by denying eligible members access to nomination forms, stressing that the party is obligated to ensure fairness and internal democracy.
The judgment follows a similar ruling delivered earlier by Justice James Omotosho of the same court on October 31.
Justice Omotosho had restrained INEC from monitoring or validating any convention conducted without the mandatory 21-day notice required by law.
He held that the party’s failure to follow due process threatened the credibility of the planned exercise.
Justice Omotosho had further directed that INEC must not receive, publish, or recognize any outcome of the convention until the PDP fulfilled all legal and constitutional requirements.
The suit that prompted the October 31 ruling was filed by aggrieved PDP chieftains, Hon. Austin Nwachukwu (Imo PDP Chairman), Hon. Amah Nnanna (Abia PDP Chairman) and Turnah George (South-South PDP Secretary).
They argued that the planned convention violated the party’s constitution and internal procedures.
Defendants in the case, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2120/2025, include INEC; the PDP; National Secretary Samuel Anyanwu; National Organizing Secretary Umar Bature; the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) and National Executive Committee (NEC); Ambassador Umar Damagum; Ali Odefa; and Emmanuel Ogidi.
The latest court order adds to the PDP’s mounting internal troubles, even as the party insisted it would proceed with the convention despite the legal restraints. Whether it maintains that stance remains to be seen.
Once a dominant political force, the former ruling party has continued to shrink under the weight of endless crises, with waves of defections eroding its base.
Earlier today, Taraba State Governor Agbu Kefas officially dumped the party, joining a growing number of bigwigs and ordinary members who have walked away.
Yet, amid the turbulence, stalwarts like Bode George, Emmanuel Ogidi and others remain steadfast, expressing hope that the badly shredded umbrella will someday be restored bigger, stronger, and whole again.