The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has once again been barred from holding its planned national convention scheduled for November 15 and 16 in Ibadan, Oyo State.
A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja issued the order on Tuesday, stopping both the party and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from organising, supervising, or recognising any outcome from the proposed convention where new national officers were to be elected.
Justice Peter Lifu, who gave the ruling, acted on a suit filed by former Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido. Lamido alleged that the PDP unjustly prevented him from purchasing the nomination form to contest for the position of national chairman, an act he described as discriminatory and contrary to the party’s internal rules.
In his judgment, Justice Lifu said the restraining order was necessary because the PDP failed to comply with the legal provisions guiding the conduct of such conventions. He noted that the party did not publish the timetable for the exercise as required by law, a lapse that amounted to a breach of due process.
“The evidence before this court clearly shows that the PDP ignored the rules that govern its internal elections,” the judge stated. “In a constitutional democracy, due process must be respected by all, including political parties. To act otherwise is to endanger the very foundation of democracy.”
He added that the balance of convenience favoured Lamido, who would suffer more harm if excluded from the process, stressing that the judiciary must not shy away from its duty to uphold justice.
Justice Lifu therefore restrained the PDP from holding the convention in Ibadan or any other location pending the resolution of the case. INEC was also directed not to supervise or recognise any outcome arising from such a gathering.
Insightlinks gathered that this latest ruling marks the second time in less than a month that the Abuja court has halted the PDP’s national convention plans.
In October, Justice James Omotosho of the same court had similarly stopped the party from proceeding with the exercise, following a suit filed by three aggrieved PDP officials, Austin Nwachukwu (Imo State Chairman), Amah Abraham Nnanna (Abia State Chairman), and Turnah Alabh George (South-South Zonal Secretary).
The plaintiffs argued that the planned convention violated both the Electoral Act and the PDP’s constitution.
However, the Oyo State High Court later granted the PDP temporary permission to proceed with preparations after ruling in favour of another party member, Folahan Adelabi, who challenged the earlier restraint. That court, presided over by Justice Akintola, allowed the party to continue its planning but adjourned further hearing to enable all parties file their responses.
With Tuesday’s ruling from the Abuja division, the PDP’s internal crisis over its convention plans has once again deepened, leaving uncertainty over when the opposition party can finally elect new national officers.
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