By Correspondent in Abuja.
Judgment in the suit filed by former Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido, challenging his exclusion from contesting the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) national chairmanship, was unexpectedly stalled on Thursday at the Federal High Court, Abuja.
Lamido, who is seeking to stop the PDP from holding its national convention without including him in the race, had arrived in court alongside lawyers and party supporters, expecting a verdict.
However, the court registrar informed parties,including the former governor,that the judgment earlier fixed for the day by Justice Peter Lifu was not ready but assured that a new date for delivery would be communicated in due course.
Our correspondent recalls that Justice Lifu had on Tuesday fixed Thursday for judgment after counsel for all parties,Lamido’s lawyer, Jeph Njikonye, SAN; PDP’s counsel, Omokayode Dada, SAN; Joseph Daudu, SAN, representing joined parties; and INEC’s counsel,adopted their processes and argued for and against the suit.
Earlier on Tuesday, Justice Lifu had restrained PDP from proceeding with its scheduled national convention, pending the determination of Lamido’s substantive suit.
He also barred the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from monitoring or recognising the outcome of the convention until the matter is resolved.
The judge ruled that Lamido’s ex-parte motion was meritorious, noting that evidence showed the PDP failed to properly publish the timetable for the convention as required by law.
He further held that Lamido would suffer greater harm if excluded from the process, making a preservative order necessary.
After giving the interim orders, Justice Lifu stood the matter down for a few hours to allow parties regularise their filings. When the case resumed, arguments were taken and November 13 was fixed for judgment,which has now been delayed.
The political stakes remain high as party members await the court’s next move.
Edited by Dada Ahmed.
