The Federal High Court in Abuja has again stopped the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) from holding its planned national convention.
In a ruling on Tuesday, Justice Peter Lifu issued an order restraining the PDP from conducting the event until the case filed by former Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido, is heard and determined.
The court also barred the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from monitoring, supervising, or recognising any outcome of the convention until the case is decided.
Justice Lifu ruled that Lamido’s application had merit. He referred to an earlier judgment by Justice James Omotosho on October 31, which also halted the PDP convention, and said granting Lamido’s request was necessary to serve justice.
Read also: Court fixes November 13 for judgement in Sule Lamido’s suit against PDP
The judge stated that allowing the PDP to proceed with the event would cause Lamido harm; therefore, a preservative order was needed to maintain the status quo.
The PDP had scheduled its national convention for November 15 and 16 in Ibadan, Oyo State.
Lamido, through his lawyer, Jeph Njikonye, SAN, filed an ex-parte motion on October 31 seeking an interim injunction to stop the party from holding the convention until his main suit is heard.
He argued that going ahead with the event would violate the PDP constitution and deny him the opportunity to contest for the position of national chairman.
Justice Lifu had earlier declined to grant the interim order on October 31 and instead directed the PDP and INEC the first and second defendants in suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/2299/2025 to appear within 72 hours to explain why Lamido’s request should not be granted.
The case was then adjourned to November 6 for hearing.
On November 6, the PDP and INEC filed affidavits opposing Lamido’s application. Justice Lifu later reserved his ruling and, on Tuesday, delivered the decision stopping the convention.
The judge adjourned further hearing of the substantive suit until 1 p.m.
This is another senator elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Jarigbe Jarigbe, representing Cross River North, officially defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Jarigbe’s defection was formally announced on the floor of the Senate on Tuesday through a letter read by the Deputy Senate President, Jibrin Barau.
In his letter, the lawmaker explained that his exit from the PDP followed months of internal crises and irreconcilable divisions that crippled the party both at the national and state levels.
“I rise to formally notify you and the distinguished leadership of the Senate of my resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party, on whose platform I was elected to represent the good people of Cross River North Senatorial District,” Jarigbe wrote.
“The decision came after deep and thoughtful reflection on the current state of my former party.
“It is with regret that I note the persistent and deep-seated divisions and the deliberate factionalisation at both the national and state levels as the primary reasons for my departure.”
Following the announcement, Barau welcomed Jarigbe into the party, saying, “You are most welcome. Please welcome him,” as senators across party lines applauded.
Read also: Jarigbe dumps PDP for APC, cites deep division in party
Jarigbe’s defection further strengthens the APC’s grip on Cross River State, where all three senatorial seats are now occupied by members of the ruling party.
The other two senators from the state are Eteng Williams (Cross River Central) and Asuquo Ekpenyong (Cross River South).
His defection also increased the number of APC senators to 76, PDP 25, Labour Party 4, APGA 2, SDP 1, and NNPP 1, totalling 109.
His move comes amid renewed turmoil within the PDP, which has been engulfed in a leadership crisis that has split the party into two factions.
The rift pits loyalists of Umar Damagum, acting national chairman, against a group allied with Nyesom Wike, minister of the Federal Capital Territory.
