The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to halt its national convention slated for November 15 and 16 in Ibadan, Oyo State, following a suit filed by former Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido.

Delivering judgment on Friday, Justice Peter Lifu ruled that Lamido was wrongfully denied access to a nomination form to contest for the National Chairman position—an action he said violated both the PDP Constitution and the party’s internal procedures.

The court also restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from supervising, monitoring, or recognising any PDP convention that excludes Lamido.

Justice Lifu stressed that the party is obligated to create a level playing field for its members, noting that PDP must adopt measures that enable aspirants to pursue their political ambitions. He ordered the party to provide Lamido with the required nomination forms and allow him adequate time to mobilise and campaign.

“Before any convention is held, the PDP is to make nomination forms available to the plaintiff,” the judge declared.
“In 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.”

Oyo Court Upholds Order Protecting Convention

In a separate legal development, an Oyo State High Court on Thursday extended an interim order barring interference with the planned PDP national convention. Justice Ladiran Akintola ruled that the injunction—granted on an earlier ex-parte application—remains valid until Friday, when the substantive matter comes up for further hearing.

The order, which shields the party from disruption ahead of the convention, followed arguments from counsel representing both sides of the suit.

Justice Akintola also declined to entertain a joinder application filed by another party, ruling that the document was legally defective due to an unsigned affidavit. Counsel for the defendant, Emmanuel Ukala (SAN), insisted the omission did not invalidate the filing, but the court maintained it could only be accepted once properly refiled.

Speaking to journalists, claimant’s counsel Musibau Adetunmbi (SAN) confirmed that the interim injunction remains fully enforceable.

“We were about to take the application for joinder when the court discovered that the affidavit was not signed,” Adetunmbi said. “The other party has indicated interest to file another one. That is what transpired in court.”

Earlier Rulings Allowed Convention to Proceed

It will be recalled that the same Oyo State High Court had previously granted the PDP permission to go ahead with the convention after the claimant sought orders restraining the party’s Acting National Chairman, Umar Iliya Damagum; Adamawa State Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri (representing the National Convention Organising Committee); and INEC from frustrating the exercise.

The court also directed the party to comply strictly with the guidelines, timetable, and schedule of activities already issued for the convention.

PDP Insists Convention Will Hold

Despite the conflicting court orders, the PDP has maintained that its national convention will proceed as planned. In a statement issued by National Publicity Secretary and Secretary of the Publicity and Communication Sub-Committee, Hon. Debo Ologunagba, the party dismissed reports of a postponement and accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of orchestrating misinformation to derail the event.