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The Federal High Court in Abuja has stopped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from going ahead with its national convention planned for this weekend in Ibadan, Oyo State.
In a judgment delivered on Friday, Justice Peter Lifu directed the party to suspend all arrangements for the exercise until former Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido, is given the opportunity to participate.
The judge also ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) not to monitor, endorse, or in any way recognise the outcome of any convention conducted without Lamido’s involvement.
Justice Lifu held that materials presented before the court proved that Lamido was unfairly prevented from securing the nomination form required to contest for the position of National Chairman of the party.
The court said the action breached the PDP’s Constitution and internal guidelines.
The ruling emphasised that political parties must provide equal pathways for members to express their ambitions, adding that no party has the right to arbitrarily shut out a qualified aspirant.
As part of the consequential directives, the court ordered the PDP to make nomination forms available to Lamido and allow him the time needed to consult, mobilise supporters, and campaign ahead of the rescheduled convention.
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