By Peter Omopo
A Federal High Court in Abuja has issued a final order barring the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from proceeding with its national convention scheduled for November 15–16 in Ibadan, Oyo State.
Delivering judgment in a suit filed by former Jigawa State governor, Sule Lamido, Justice Peter Lifu ruled that the opposition party must halt all convention preparations until it complies with its constitution and internal guidelines.
Lamido had approached the court after he was denied the opportunity to purchase a nomination form to contest for the position of national chairman. Justice Lifu held that the PDP acted unlawfully by excluding an eligible member from the race.
“The PDP is under strict obligation to abide by its own rules by giving opportunities to eligible members to realise their aspirations,” the judge said, describing the party’s refusal to sell the nomination form to Lamido as improper.
The court also prohibited the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from supervising, monitoring, or providing support for the convention until Lamido is allowed to participate.
Lamido, through his lawyer Jeph Njikonye, had filed an ex parte application on October 31 seeking an interim order to halt the convention. While Justice Lifu initially declined to grant the interim relief, he directed the PDP and INEC to show cause within 72 hours why Lamido’s request should not be honoured. Friday’s ruling now fully restrains the party until compliance is established.
Conflicting Court Orders Deepen PDP Crisis
The PDP has been grappling with a series of contradictory judicial rulings ahead of the planned convention.
On November 4, an Oyo State High Court ordered the party and its acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, to go ahead with the event. The decision, delivered by Justice A.L. Akintola after an ex parte motion by Folahan Adelabi, drew criticism from allies of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, who petitioned the National Judicial Council (NJC) over alleged judicial misconduct.
Party Leaders Divided
Despite the legal uncertainty, PDP governors had insisted on Thursday night that the 2025 National Elective Convention must hold. The position was reached at a stakeholders’ meeting in Abuja attended by serving and former governors, National Assembly members, National Working Committee (NWC) members, Board of Trustees (BoT) members, and state party chairmen.
However, former Senate President Bukola Saraki has urged the party to suspend the convention and instead form a caretaker committee to stabilise internal structures.
Saraki made the recommendation during a meeting with the PDP BoT reconciliation team, stating on his X handle that a caretaker committee is “the only solution available” to restore unity and confidence within the party.
What Happens Next?
With the Federal High Court’s final order now in force, the PDP cannot proceed with its Ibadan convention unless Lamido is allowed to obtain the nomination form and participate fully.
The party has yet to issue an official response to the ruling, while legal and political stakeholders await the next steps in what has become one of the most contentious internal crises the PDP has faced in recent years.
