A Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice Peter Odo Lifu, has issued a final order halting the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from proceeding with its National Convention. The convention, originally scheduled to take place in Ibadan, Oyo State, between November 15 and 16, was intended for the election of national officers for the party. This definitive judgment, delivered on Friday afternoon, stems from a suit filed by former Jigawa State governor, Sule Lamido.

Justice Lifu's ruling explicitly bars the PDP from holding the convention until it fully complies with its own Constitution and Guidelines. The core of the matter revolves around the alleged denial of opportunity for Mr. Lamido to purchase a nomination form for the office of National Chairman. The judge held that the PDP was under a strict obligation to adhere to its established rules and regulations, ensuring that eligible members are afforded opportunities to pursue their political aspirations. It was deemed unjust for the party to have denied Lamido the chance to obtain the necessary nomination form.

Consequently, the court ordered that the Ibadan convention be put on hold, specifically to allow Sule Lamido to purchase a nomination form, mobilize supporters, and conduct his campaign for the desired position. Furthermore, Justice Lifu issued a prohibitory order against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), restraining it from supervising, monitoring, or giving effect to the outcome of any convention conducted by the PDP without ensuring the plaintiff's opportunity to participate as a contestant. This order reinforces the mandate for the PDP to make nomination forms available to Lamido before any convention can lawfully proceed.

This is not the first legal hurdle the PDP has faced regarding its convention. Justice Lifu had previously issued a temporary order on Tuesday, November 11, restraining the party from the planned convention, pending the determination of the substantive suit. Additionally, on October 31, another Federal High Court judge, James Omotosho, had also stopped the PDP convention. That ruling cited evidence that the party failed to hold valid state congresses as stipulated by the 1999 Constitution, INEC guidelines, and the party’s own constitution. The suit (FHC/ABJ/CS/2120/2025) was filed by Austine Nwachukwu, PDP chairman in Imo state; Amah Abraham Nnanna, Abia state chairman; and Turnah George, south-south secretary of the party, who are reportedly allies of Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Adding a layer of complexity to the legal landscape, an Oyo State High Court, on November 4, had issued a contradictory order, allowing the PDP and its national chairman, Umar Damagum, to proceed with the convention. This order, issued by Justice A.L. Akintola, followed an ex parte application filed by Folahan Malomo Adelabi. However, this ruling itself has drawn scrutiny, with some allies of Minister Wike reportedly asking the National Judicial Council (NJC) to sanction Justice Akintola over alleged judicial indiscretion and abuse of office. Despite these conflicting rulings, Justice Peter Lifu's latest judgment stands as a final order, unequivocally putting the PDP's November convention on hold.