The Federal High Court in Abuja has, for the second time, stopped the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) from going ahead with its National Convention scheduled to take place in Ibadan, Oyo State, between November 15 and 16.
Justice Peter Lifu, in his ruling on Tuesday, also barred the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from supervising, monitoring, or recognising the outcome of the planned convention, where new national officers were expected to be elected.
The order followed a suit filed by former Jigawa State governor, Sule Lamido, who accused the party of denying him the opportunity to purchase the Chairmanship nomination form, effectively preventing him from contesting.
Justice Lifu ruled that the PDP failed to comply with the legal requirements and internal party procedures for organising such conventions, noting that Lamido’s evidence showed the timetable for the convention was not duly published as mandated by law.
He stated that the “balance of convenience” favoured Lamido, as allowing the convention to proceed would cause him greater harm by unlawfully excluding him from the process.
“In a Constitution, due process of law must be strictly followed by those in charge; to do otherwise will endanger democracy itself,” the judge said, emphasising that the courts must uphold justice “without fear or favour.”
Justice Lifu warned that anarchy could prevail if courts abdicated their constitutional duties and therefore ordered the PDP not to proceed with the convention on November 15 and 16, or on any other date, in Ibadan or elsewhere.
INEC was likewise restrained from supervising, monitoring, or recognising any PDP convention held in defiance of the court’s ruling.
What you should know
The Federal High Court has halted the PDP’s planned national convention after former Jigawa governor Sule Lamido challenged his exclusion from the chairmanship race.
Justice Peter Lifu ruled that the party violated due process, warning that such disregard for the law threatens democratic order.
