Breaking: Court Halts PDP National Convention, Directs INEC On New Order – Lamido Speaks

The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to suspend its planned National Convention pending the determination of a substantive suit filed by former Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido.

The ruling came on Tuesday in a case brought by Lamido, who challenged being denied the PDP Nomination Form necessary to contest for the National Chairmanship, despite having paid for it.

The court also directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to refrain from participating in any activities related to the convention in Ibadan or elsewhere in Nigeria.

Lamido had approached the Federal High Court in Abuja seeking to halt the PDP’s national convention, scheduled for November 15–16 in Ibadan, Oyo State. In his suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CD/2229/2025 and filed through his counsel, Jephthah Chikodi Njikonye (SAN), he requested that both the PDP and INEC be restrained from proceeding with or supervising the event.

The former governor alleged that he was “unlawfully and illegally denied” access to the nomination form required to contest for the national chairmanship. He argued that the party’s actions violated its constitution and internal guidelines, which guarantee equal opportunity for all eligible members to participate in internal elections.

Lamido further contended that the convention’s planning process excluded key stakeholders and failed to comply with the PDP’s constitutional requirements. He maintained that denying him the nomination form amounted to a breach of natural justice and called for the process to be halted until the matter was rectified.

He is seeking a mandatory injunction compelling the PDP to issue him the nomination form before any convention can take place. Additionally, Lamido urged the court to prevent INEC from supervising, aiding, or recognizing any convention conducted without his participation, warning that doing so would confer illegal legitimacy on an unconstitutional process.

Previously, Justice Peter Lifu had refused to grant Lamido an interim order to restrain the PDP and INEC from proceeding. Instead, the judge required both parties to appear in court to show cause why Lamido’s requested reliefs should not be granted.

On Tuesday, after hearing from the affected parties, the court ruled in Lamido’s favor.