The lingering crisis rocking the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has taken a new twist as the Federal High Court in Abuja has, for the second time, halted the party’s planned National Convention scheduled to hold in Ibadan, Oyo State, between November 15 and 16, 2025.
Justice Peter Lifu, delivering a ruling on Tuesday, issued a fresh order restraining the PDP from conducting the convention or any similar exercise pending the determination of a suit filed by former Jigawa State governor, Alhaji Sule Lamido. The court also barred the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from supervising, monitoring, or recognising the outcome of any such convention where national officers were expected to be elected.
Lamido, in his application, accused the PDP leadership of deliberately denying him the opportunity to purchase the nomination form for the position of National Chairman, thereby unlawfully excluding him from participating in the party’s leadership contest. He argued that the process leading to the convention was marred by irregularities and a blatant disregard for the party’s constitution.
Justice Lifu, in his ruling, agreed with Lamido’s position, stating that the PDP failed to comply with relevant legal provisions and internal guidelines required for the conduct of such conventions. The judge noted that the evidence presented before the court showed the party did not properly publish the timetable for the convention, thereby violating its own procedures and the rights of its members.
“The balance of convenience clearly tilts in favour of the applicant, who stands to suffer more if unlawfully excluded from the process,” Justice Lifu held. “In every constitutional democracy, due process of law must be strictly observed by those in charge, as failure to do so endangers the very foundation of democracy itself.”
The judge further emphasised that, under Section 6 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), courts have the constitutional duty to dispense justice without fear or favour. “Anarchy will be the order of the day anywhere a court of record abdicates its role,” he warned.
In his final pronouncement, Justice Lifu categorically restrained the PDP from going ahead with the convention slated for November 15 and 16, or from holding it at any later date in Ibadan or any other location across the country.
The court equally prohibited INEC from supervising, monitoring, or recognising the outcome of any convention the PDP might organise until the case before it is fully resolved.
Tuesday’s ruling marks the second time within months that a court has stopped the PDP from holding its National Convention, further deepening the internal crisis threatening to tear apart the once-dominant opposition party.
As of press time, neither the PDP’s National Working Committee nor its acting leadership had issued an official statement in response to the court’s latest ruling.