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ABUJA – Federal High sitting in Abuja, presided over by Justice Peter Lifu, has restrained the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from proceeding with its 2025 National Convention slated for Ibadan, the Oyo state capital, on November 15 and 16.

Justice Lifu gave the order in his judgment on a suit filed by a former Governor of Jigawa state, Sule Lamido, against the PDP.

Lamido had dragged the PDP before the Federal High Court Abuja, wherein he claimed that he was shut out from obtaining the form to contest the position of the party’s National Chairman.

Specifically, he sought an order of court restraining the PDP from proceeding with it’s National Convention scheduled for Ibadan.

After hearing the motion on notice on November 11, the Judge granted an order of interim injunction restraining the PDP from going ahead with the National Convention pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.

Meanwhile, in a judgment on the substantive suit on Friday, Justice Lifu barred the PDP from going ahead with the convention until it fulfills conditions precedent in line with its constitution and guidelines on the convention.

The court ordered that the Ibadan convention be put on hold until Sule Lamido is allowed to purchase nomination form for the office of the National Chairman and campaign to realize his aspiration.

More so, Justice Lifu restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from supervising, monitoring or recognizing the outcome of the Ibadan convention until the Plaintiff is to allowed to participate in the process leading to the convention.

It was the reasoning of the court that the PDP is under strict obligation to comply with its rules and regulations by giving opportunities to eligible members to realize their individual dreams.

In addition, the court held that the PDP is in crystal clear of utter breach of its own constitution and guidelines by denying some members of the opportunity to access the nomination form for elective offices at the convention.

Justice Lifu stated, it was wrong for the Party to have denied Lamido the opportunity to purchase nomination form for the office of the national chairman of the party.

Recall that another sister Judge of the Federal High Court Abuja, James Omotosho had on October 31, issued similar order stopping INEC from supervising or recognizing outcome of the convention if conducted, on the grounds that due process was not followed in the way the convention was being planned.

Besides, Justice Omotosho held that the PDP failed to issue the mandatory 21 days notice of meetings and congresses to enable INEC carry out its mandatory duty of monitoring such meetings and congresses.

The court also held that the inability of the PDP to comply with the law has put the planned convention in jeopardy, and subsequently advised the PDP to do the necessary before going ahead with the election.

Consequently, Justice Omotosho restrained INEC from receiving, publishing or recognizing the outcome of the convention slated for Ibadan, until conditions precedent were duly met.

The suit seeking to stop the national convention was filed by some aggrieved members of the PDP, namely; Hon. Austin Nwachukwu (Imo PDP Chairman), Hon. Amah Nnanna (Abia PDP Chairman) and Turnah George (PDP Secretary, South-South).

They Plaintiffs had alleged before the court that the planned convention violated the party’s rules and breached its Constitution.

Defendants in the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2120/2025, are the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), PDP, Samuel Anyanwu, National Secretary of the party, Umar Bature, National Organizing Secretary of the party, NWC and NEC of the party, Ambassador Umar Damagum, Ali Odefa and Emmanuel Ogidi.