For the second time, a Federal High Court in Abuja has restrained the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) from holding its 2025 National Convention, scheduled for November 15–16 in Ibadan, Oyo State.
The court also barred the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from supervising, monitoring, or recognizing the outcome of the convention.
Justice Peter Odo Lifu, ruling on an application by former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido, said the restriction was necessary because the PDP failed to comply with relevant laws for conducting the convention. Lamido, a founding member of the party, had claimed he was denied the opportunity to purchase a chairmanship nomination form.
The judge noted that the convention timetable was not properly published, as required by law, and that Lamido would suffer more if excluded unlawfully. He also emphasized that due process must be followed strictly, warning that ignoring legal requirements endangers democracy.
Justice Lifu restrained the PDP from holding the convention on any date or location until the law is fully complied with and stopped INEC from recognizing any outcome. He noted that Lamido had agreed to pay damages if his suit is deemed frivolous.
This follows a similar ruling by Justice James Omotosho on October 31, who also stopped INEC from recognizing the convention outcome due to PDP’s failure to issue the mandatory 21-day notice for meetings and congresses.