By Correspondent in Abuja.
The Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday barred the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from supervising or recognising the PDP’s national convention scheduled for Saturday and Sunday until the party allows former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido to obtain a chairmanship nomination form.
Justice Peter Lifu, in a judgment, declared that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had violated its own constitution and guidelines by denying Lamido the opportunity to purchase a nomination form. He therefore restrained the party from proceeding with the convention in Ibadan until Lamido is accommodated.
“The PDP, by its conduct, has breached its own party guidelines,” Justice Lifu held, adding that a political party is bound to obey its own constitution. He dismissed the PDP’s submission that the dispute concerns internal party affairs, noting that the courts have jurisdiction where a political party departs from its own rules.
“To hold otherwise would be to close our eyes to impunity, illegality and disregard for the rule of law,” he said. “No political party should be allowed to profit from the violation of its own rules or the national constitution.”
Lamido had filed the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2299/2025, initially joining only the PDP and INEC. However, the court later added the PDP chairmen of Imo and Abia, as well as the PDP South-South Secretary as additional defendants.
The court noted that Lamido approached PDP on October 27 to obtain the chairmanship form but was turned down. This, Justice Lifu observed, was in breach of Article 9(h) of the PDP’s guidelines, which stipulates that nominations must close at least 14 days before the convention.
He pointed out inconsistencies in the PDP’s documents, including an exhibit submitted by the PDP stating September 26 as the deadline for submission of forms, yet another exhibit claimed October 27 was the final day.
The judge also questioned the transparency of the process, noting that an exhibit from the camp of an alleged consensus candidate suggested an irregular and “clandestine” system for selling forms “meant and kept for special people.”
Justice Lifu stressed that the process leading to a national convention must be transparent, inclusive, and democratic. He observed that the guidelines and timetable had not been properly published, lacked the party logo and motto, and held no evidential value.
Consequently, the court ruled in Lamido’s favour, ordering the PDP to make the nomination form available for him to purchase before any convention is held.
The judge further ordered that the convention be suspended until Lamido is given a fair opportunity to obtain the form, mobilise, and campaign for the chairmanship position.
He also prohibited INEC from supervising, monitoring, or recognising any PDP chairmanship election until compliance is ensured.
With this judgment, the PDP will have to adjust its plans for the convention unless it moves to comply immediately, potentially altering the dynamics of its leadership contest.
Edited by Dada Ahmed.
