By Anthony Ochela, Abuja
Again, a Federal High Court, Abuja, has restrained the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, from holding the upcoming National Convention scheduled for November 15 and 16, in Ibadan, or any other place over an application brought before the court by a former Minister of Foreign Affairs and ex-Jigawa State Governor, Alhaji Sule Lamido, complaining that he was denied the opportunity to buy chairmanship nomination form to enable him participate in the convention.
Besides, the court also barred the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, from supervising, monitoring, or recognising the outcome of the Convention, where national officers are expected to be elected.
Presiding Judge, Justice Peter Lifu, issued the fresh order in ruling on Lamido’s application, yesterday.
Lifu, hinged his restriction order against PDP on its refusal, neglected, and failure to comply with relevant conditions and laws for the conduct of such conventions.
In this vein, the court held that evidence from the applicant (Lamido) showed that the timetable for the convention was not published for the attention of its members as required by law.
The judge then held that the balance of convenience tilted towards Lamido because he would suffer more if allowed to be unlawfully excluded from the planned convention.
According to the Judge, in a Constitution, due process of law must be strictly followed by those in charge, adding that to do otherwise will endanger democracy itself, adding that in line with section 6 of the 1999 Constitution, the court of law must not abdicate its role of dispensing justice without fear or favour.
It would be recalled that last Wednesday, five days after a Federal High Court, FHC, Abuja, halted the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, National Convention, an Oyo State High Court ordered the PDP to go ahead and hold the convention slated for November 15 and 16.
Besides, the presiding Judge Justice A. L. Akintola also ruled that the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, should monitor and observe the PDP national convention.
The order is sequel to a suit marked I/1336/2025, filed by Folahan Malamo Adelabi, an aspirant contesting the position of Deputy National Organising Secretary of the party.
Akintola, in the ordered asked the PDP, its servants, agents or officers not to stop, frustrate, the guidelines, timetable and schedule of activities, or disrupt, prevent or stop the scheduled national convention.
He also ordered the Chairman, National Convention Organising Committee, NCOC, who is Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Fintiri, to proceed with all arrangements relating to the party’s convention.
Over 3,000 delegates, including statutory delegates, governors, National Assembly members, and party stakeholders from the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, for the national convention scheduled to hold in Ibadan, Oyo State capital.
The FHC sitting in Abuja, stopped the planned 2025 National Convention of the Peoples Democratic Party when Justice James Omotosho issued an order that the convention cannot proceed until the party fully complies with the provisions of its Constitution and the Electoral Act.
The development followed a suit filed by three aggrieved members of the PDP over allegation that the party failed to adhere to due process in the buildup to the convention, where new national officers were to be elected.
Omotosho, in his ruling restrained INEC from accepting or giving effect to any report or outcome of a PDP convention not conducted in line with the Constitution, the Electoral Act, and the internal regulations of the party.
He also held that INEC is duty-bound to ensure that any political party activity, including conventions, complies with all statutory and constitutional requirements before it can be recognised.
The nine defendants in the suit are: INEC, the PDP, National Secretary Samuel Anyanwu, National Organizing Secretary Umar Bature, the National Working Committee, NWC, the National Executive Committee, NEC, Acting National Chairman Ambassador Umar Iliya Damagum, Ali Odefa, and Emmanuel Ogidi.
