BREAKING: Court halts 2025 PDP National Convention in Ibadan
By Adejayan Gbenga –
The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to suspend its national convention scheduled to hold in Ibadan, Oyo State, on Saturday and Sunday.
Justice Peter Lifu, who delivered the judgment on Friday, also restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from supervising, monitoring, or recognising any convention conducted by the PDP without including former Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido, as a contestant.
The court held that evidence before it showed that Lamido was unjustly denied access to obtain a nomination form to contest for the position of National Chairman of the party—an action the judge said violated both the PDP Constitution and its internal regulations.
Justice Lifu emphasized that political parties are obligated to create equal opportunities for all eligible members to aspire to leadership positions and must put mechanisms in place to prevent arbitrary exclusion.
According to the judgment, Lamido’s exclusion amounted to an infringement on his rights within the party, warranting the court’s intervention to restore fairness and due process.
The judge therefore directed the PDP to ensure that Lamido is allowed to obtain the nomination form, mobilise supporters, and conduct his campaign without hindrance.
INEC was additionally barred from taking part in or validating any convention the party holds without fulfilling the conditions laid out in the ruling.
