Chairmanship tussle: Court stops PDP from conducting national convention

The Federal High Court in Abuja, on Tuesday, restrained the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from going ahead with its scheduled national convention pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit filed by ex-Gov Sule Lamido of Jigawa.

Justice Peter Lifu, in a ruling, also restrained the Independent National Electrical Commission (INEC) from monitoring, supervising or recognising the outcome of the convention, pending the hearing and determination of the suit before him.

Justice Lifu held that the application filed by the applicant, Lamido, was meritorious and accordingly succeed.

The judge, who noted the judgment delivered by Justice James Omotosho on Oct. 31 stopping PDP from holding the convention, held that it would be in the interest of justice to grant Lamido’s request.

He said if PDP is allowed to go ahead with the event, the former governor would suffer more, hence, it was necessary to grant the preservative order.

Our correspondent reports that the PDP had fixed its national convention to Nov. 15 and Nov. 16 in Ibadan, Oyo State.

Lamido, in the motion ex-parte moved by his lawyer, Jeph Njikonye, SAN, on Oct. 31, had prayed the court to make the interim order, pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice filed alongside.

The ex-governor said if the PDP was not restrained by the court, the party would be violating its constitution, and by implication denying him the opportunity to contest for the position of the national chairman of the party of which he is eminently qualified to contest.

Justice Lifu, in a ruling, had declined to grant the motion on Oct. 31 after it was moved.

The judge, rather ordered the PDP and INEC that are 1st and 2nd defendants in the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/2299/2025, to come and show cause why the ex-governor’s reliefs should not be granted.

Justice Lifu, who gave the defendants within 72 hours from the date they were served to respond, adjourned the matter until Nov. 6 for hearing.

On Nov. 6, the PDP and INEC filed their respective affidavit to show cause, asking the court to refused Lamido’s application and the judge fixed today for ruling on the matter.

The judge also stood down the matter until 1pm today for hearing of the substantive matter.