The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to suspend its national convention scheduled to hold in Ibadan, Oyo State, on November 15 and 16, 2025.
The ruling, delivered on Friday by Peter Lifu (Justice) followed a suit filed by Sule Lamido, former governor of Jigawa State, who accused the party of blocking him from contesting for the position of National Chairman.
In the judgment, the court restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from supervising, monitoring, or recognising any PDP convention conducted without including Lamido as an eligible contestant.
Lifu held that credible evidence before the court proved that the plaintiff was unjustly denied access to the nomination forms required to vie for the top party position.
According to the judge, the PDP violated its own constitution and internal procedures by preventing Lamido from obtaining the form, noting that political parties have a statutory duty to create fair and equal opportunities for their members to seek elective positions within the party hierarchy.
“The PDP is duty-bound to adopt deliberate measures that enable members to pursue their political aspirations”, Lifu ruled.
The court also directed the PDP to put its planned convention on hold and immediately make nomination forms available to Lamido.
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It further held that adequate time must be given for him to mobilise supporters and conduct his campaign before any rescheduled convention can take place.
“An order is hereby made that before any convention is held, the PDP is to make nomination forms available to the plaintiff.
“In the light of the above, it is hereby held that the convention be put on hold for the plaintiff to obtain a nomination form, campaign and mobilise supporters,” the judge ruled.
