By Kayode Lawal.
Justice Peter Odo Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja has issued a final order stopping the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) from proceeding with its 2025 National convention scheduled for Ibadan, in Oyo state.
The convention is billed to hold between November 15 and 16 in the Oyo state capital for the purpose of electing national officers for the PDP.
However, Justice Peter Odo Lifu in his final judgment on Friday afternoon in a suit filed by former Jigawa state governor, Sule Lamido barred PDP from proceeding with the convention until it complies with its Constitution and Guidelines on the convention.
He ordered that the Ibadan convention must be put on hold until Sule Lamido is allowed to purchase nomination form for the office of the National Chairmanship and campaign to realize his aspiration
The Judge prohibited the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from supervising, monitoring or aiding the Ibadan convention until the former Jigawa state governor is to allowed to participate in the convention.
The judge held that PDP is under strict obligation to adhere to its own rules and regulations by giving opportunities to eligible members to realize their individual aspirations.
He said that it was wrong of the PDP to have denied Lamido the opportunity to purchase nomination form for the office of the national chairman of the party.
Justice Lifu said that PDP is in crystal clear of utter breach of its own Constitution and guidelines by denying some members the opportunity to access the nomination form for elective offices at the convention.
An indication that all will not be well with the convention first emerged on October 31 when
Justice James Omotosho restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, from recognizing the outcome of the forthcoming 2025 National Convention of the PDP.
Justice James Omotosho had issued the order while delivering judgment in a suit challenging the legality of the convention.
The judge had predicated the court decision on the grounds that the PDP failed to comply with relevant conditions and laws for the conduct of such conventions.
The judge held that evidence provided by the electoral umpire and some of the respondents showed that congresses were not held in some states of the federation in breach of the law.
In addition, the court held that the signing of notices and correspondences of the PDP by its National Chairman without the National Secretary violated the law and consequently made such notices and correspondences a nullity.
Besides, Justice Omotosho had 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.
Justice Omotosho held that the failure 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.
Three aggrieved members of the party who instituted the case are Austin Nwachukwu (Imo PDP chairman), Amah Abraham Nnanna (Abia PDP chairman) and Turnah Alabh George (PDP Secretary, South-South).
The suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2120/2025 was instituted on their behalf by a Senior Advocate of Nigeria SAN, Joseph Daudu.
PDP suffered the second dead blow on November 11, when Justice Lifu issued order of interim injunction which restrained the PDP from holding its 2025 National Convention scheduled for Ibadan, Oyo State between November 15 and 16.
The court had also barred the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, from supervising, monitoring or recognizing the outcome of the National Convention where national officers are expected to be elected.
Justice Lifu had issued the second order while delivering ruling in an application brought by a former governor of Jigawa state, Sule Lamido.
Lamido, a foundation member of PDP had dragged the party before the court complaining that he was denied opportunity to buy Chairmanship nomination form to enable him participate in the convention.
The judge predicated the restriction order against PDP on the grounds that the party refused, neglected and failed to comply with relevant conditions and laws for the conduct of such conventions.
The judge held that evidence from Lamido showed that the timetable for the convention was not published for the attention of its members as required by law.
Justice lifu also held that the balance of convenience tilted towards Lamido because he would suffer more if allowed to be unlawfully excluded from the planned convention.
To make remedy, the Judge said that the former governor had undertaken to pay damages to PDP in the event that his suit was found to be frivolous.
According to the Judge, in a Constitutional, due process of law must be strictly followed by those in charge, adding that to do otherwise, will endanger democracy itself.
He also said that in line with section 6 of the 1999 Constitution, a court of law must not abdicate its role of dispensing justice without fear or favour.
Justice Lifu had held that anarchy would be the order of the day any time, any day and anywhere the court abdicates its constitutionally assigned functions.
