The Federal High Court in Abuja has once again restrained the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from proceeding with its planned National Convention scheduled to hold in Ibadan, Oyo State, on November 15th and 16th, 2025. The convention was intended to elect new national officers charged with piloting the party’s affairs.
The court’s fresh ruling came on Tuesday following an ex-parte application filed by former Jigawa State governor Sule Lamido through his counsel, Jephthah Njikonye, SAN. Lamido, a bona fide member of the PDP with an interest in the position of national chairman, sought an interim order to halt the convention pending the hearing and determination of a substantive suit.
Justice Peter Lifu, delivering the ruling, held that the plaintiff’s application had merit and warranted court intervention. He consequently restrained the PDP from convening the convention pending resolution of the suit. The court also barred the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from monitoring, supervising, or recognizing the planned convention, echoing an earlier decision by Justice James Omotosho on October 31, 2025, which similarly halted the convention and restrained INEC from engagement in its processes.
Justice Lifu emphasized that Lamido would suffer greater hardship if the interim order were not granted, stating, “In a Constitution, due process of law must be strictly followed by those in charge; to do otherwise will endanger democracy itself.”
He further explained, “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.” The judge warned that failure to uphold judicial duties would lead to anarchy, highlighting that “anarchy would be the order of the day anytime, anywhere the court abdicates its constitutionally assigned functions.”
Lamido’s suit arose from allegations that the PDP denied him the opportunity to purchase the chairmanship nomination form, effectively excluding him from participating in the convention. Justice Lifu also noted that the party failed to publish a timetable for the convention as required by law, undermining procedural compliance.In related developments, Justice Ladiran Akintola of the Oyo State High Court in Ibadan adjourned a hearing relating to a separate suit filed by Folahan Malomo Adelabi against the PDP and other respondents. The judge emphasized the importance of filing all relevant documents properly before substantive proceedings could proceed.Meanwhile, PDP leaders in Ekiti State have issued warnings about alleged internal sabotage aimed at overturning the governorship primary results won by Dr. Wole Oluyede.
Additionally, party members in Oyo State have petitioned the National Judicial Council seeking disciplinary action against Justice Akintola for alleged judicial recklessness and misconduct.
The legal drama surrounding the PDP’s National Convention continues to draw significant political attention and remains ongoing as the parties are allowed more time to file and exchange processes before substantive hearings resume.
This is the second time a Federal High Court has issued such a restraining order on the PDP’s 2025 convention, reinforcing the judiciary’s insistence on due process and legal compliance in party affairs ahead of national and state elections.
