The Federal High Court in Abuja has again stopped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from holding its planned National Convention scheduled for November 15 and 16 in Ibadan, Oyo State.
Delivering the ruling on Tuesday, Justice Peter Lifu issued a fresh restraining order against both the PDP and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), barring the electoral body from supervising, monitoring, or recognising any outcome from the proposed convention.
The court’s decision followed a suit filed by former Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido, who accused the PDP leadership of violating his right to contest for the position of national chairman by allegedly refusing to sell him a nomination form.
In his ruling, Justice Lifu held that the restriction became necessary because the PDP had “refused, neglected, and failed to comply with relevant conditions and laws” guiding the conduct of such conventions.
The judge agreed with Lamido’s arguments, ruling that the party failed to publish its timetable as required by law, describing the omission as a clear breach of due process.
He emphasized that adherence to the rule of law was vital to the survival of democracy, stating:
“Due process must be followed in all constitutional matters. Any deviation from the rule of law could endanger democracy itself.”
Justice Lifu also reminded the court of its constitutional duty under Section 6 of the 1999 Constitution, noting that the judiciary must continue to dispense justice “without fear or favour.”
In his final order, the judge restrained the PDP from holding its convention in Ibadan or anywhere else under the current circumstances and directed INEC not to recognise or monitor any convention convened by the party pending the determination of the suit.
This latest ruling contradicts an earlier decision by the Oyo State High Court, which had ordered the PDP and its acting National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Damagum, to proceed with the convention as planned.
Justice A.L. Akintola, who delivered that earlier ruling, granted the order following an ex parte application filed by Folahan Malomo Adelabi, effectively deepening the legal confusion surrounding the party’s convention plans.
The PDP, Nigeria’s main opposition party, has been engulfed in months of internal crises, marked by leadership struggles and competing court orders.
Recently, a faction of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) announced the suspension of Acting National Chairman Umar Damagum and five other top officials over alleged incompetence, financial misconduct, and disobedience to court orders.
Briefing journalists in Abuja, the PDP National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, who led the factional NWC, declared Mohammed Abdulrahman, the party’s National Vice Chairman (North Central), as the new Acting National Chairman.
He further announced the suspension of National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba, Deputy National Vice Chairman (South) Taofeek Arapaja, National Financial Secretary Daniel Woyenguikoro, National Youth Leader Sulaiman Kadade, and Deputy National Secretary Setonji Koshoedo, over alleged indiscipline and financial irregularities.
The escalating legal and leadership battles within the PDP continue to threaten the party’s unity ahead of the 2027 general elections, raising fresh concerns about its ability to reposition as a credible opposition force.