ABUJA: The Federal High Court in Abuja has issued a final order stopping the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) from holding its 2025 national convention scheduled for November 15 and 16 in Ibadan, Oyo State.
Delivering judgment on Thursday, Justice Peter Lifu restrained the opposition party from proceeding with the exercise until it complies fully with its constitution and internal guidelines.
The ruling followed a suit filed by former Jigawa State governor, Sule Lamido, who accused the PDP of wrongfully denying him the opportunity to purchase the nomination form for the position of National Chairman.
In his decision, Justice Lifu held that the PDP violated its own rules by preventing an eligible member from contesting. He directed that the convention remain suspended until Lamido is allowed to obtain the nomination form and participate in the process.
The judge also barred the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from monitoring, supervising, or giving any form of support to the convention until the party complies with the order.
Lifu stressed that the PDP is obligated to operate within its constitution and ensure fairness to all members seeking elective positions in its national leadership.
Lamido, through his counsel Jeph Njikonye, filed an ex parte application on October 31 seeking an interim order to stop the convention. Justice Lifu declined to grant the interim request but ordered the PDP and INEC to show cause within 72 hours why Lamido’s prayers should not be granted. The matter was subsequently adjourned to November 6.
The PDP’s planned convention has been the subject of multiple conflicting court rulings. On November 4, the Oyo State High Court had ordered the party and its acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, to proceed with the exercise, a ruling that triggered fresh controversy within the party.
The Oyo court order, delivered by Justice A. L. Akintola on the strength of an ex parte application by Folahan Adelabi, prompted allies of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike to petition the National Judicial Council, accusing the judge of judicial misconduct.
Despite the legal turmoil, PDP governors and top stakeholders insisted late Thursday after a meeting in Abuja that the 2025 National Elective Convention must go ahead as planned.
Present at the meeting were members of the National Working Committee, serving and former governors, National Assembly members, Board of Trustees members, and state chairmen.
However, prominent party leaders are calling for a pause. Former Senate President Bukola Saraki urged the PDP to suspend the convention and instead set up a caretaker committee to manage the party’s affairs temporarily.
Saraki made the appeal after receiving the BoT reconciliation team, arguing that installing a caretaker committee within the next two days is the only path to stability, reconciliation, and restoring confidence among aspirants.
