By A Federal High Court in Abuja has issued a final order stopping the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from holding its 2025 national convention scheduled for 15–16 November in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
In a judgement delivered on Friday, Justice Peter Lifu restrained the party from proceeding with the exercise until it complies fully with its constitution and guidelines. The ruling followed a suit filed by former Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido.
Justice Lifu held that the PDP acted unlawfully by denying Lamido the opportunity to purchase the nomination form for the position of National Chairman.
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He ruled that the convention cannot go ahead until Lamido is allowed to obtain the form and participate.
The court also prohibited the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from supervising, monitoring or providing any form of support for the Ibadan convention until the party fulfils all legal requirements.
According to the judge, the PDP has a strict obligation to adhere to its internal rules and give all qualified members equal opportunities to pursue their political aspirations.
He described the party’s refusal to sell the nomination form to Lamido as a “clear breach” of its constitution and guidelines.
The latest ruling comes amid existing legal hurdles facing the convention. On 31 October, Justice James Omotosho of the same court had barred INEC from recognising the outcome of the planned convention in a separate case 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).
Justice Omotosho held that the party violated statutory requirements by failing to conduct congresses in several states and by issuing official notices without the signature of the National Secretary—rendering such notices invalid.
He further ruled that the PDP failed to give INEC the mandatory 21-day notice required for monitoring party meetings and congresses.
The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2120/2025, was filed on behalf of the aggrieved members by Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Joseph Daudu.
On 11 November, Justice Lifu had earlier granted an interim injunction stopping the PDP from holding the Ibadan convention and restraining INEC from recognising its outcome.
Lamido, who initiated the suit, argued that he was unlawfully denied access to the nomination form for the national chairmanship position.
In his final ruling on Friday, Justice Lifu reaffirmed that due process must be strictly followed, warning that failure to do so threatens democratic order.
He further noted that Lamido would suffer greater harm if excluded from the convention, adding that the former governor had undertaken to pay damages should his suit later be deemed frivolous.
Justice Lifu stressed that the judiciary cannot abdicate its constitutional responsibility to dispense justice “without fear or favour”, warning that failure to enforce the law would invite anarchy.
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