Abuja Court Halts PDP National Convention Again

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has once again issued an order stopping the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from holding its planned national convention, which was scheduled to take place in Ibadan, Oyo State, on November 15 and 16.

The court also directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) not to supervise, monitor, or validate any outcomes from the proposed event, where new national officers were expected to be elected.

Justice Peter Lifu granted the restraining order on Tuesday in response to a suit filed by former Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido. Lamido alleged that he was unfairly denied access to the nomination form for the national chairmanship position, effectively excluding him from the process.

Justice Lifu stated that the PDP failed to meet the legal requirements for organizing such conventions, particularly the mandatory publication of a timetable. He ruled that the party’s actions violated due process and that Lamido would suffer greater harm if excluded.

“In a constitutional democracy, adherence to due process is essential. Ignoring it threatens the very foundation of democratic governance,” the judge said.

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He emphasized the judiciary’s duty under Section 6 of the 1999 Constitution to uphold justice without bias, warning that failure to do so could lead to disorder.

The court’s final ruling barred the PDP from holding the convention on the scheduled dates or at any other time, and prohibited INEC from recognizing any outcome from such a gathering.

This is the second time in recent weeks that the Federal High Court in Abuja has intervened to stop the PDP’s convention. In October 2025, Justice James Omotosho issued a similar order in a separate suit filed by three party members—Austin Nwachukwu (Imo PDP Chairman), Amah Abraham Nnanna (Abia PDP Chairman), and Turnah Alabh George (South-South PDP Secretary). They argued that the planned convention violated both the Electoral Act and the party’s internal regulations.

Meanwhile, on November 4, the Oyo State High Court granted the PDP temporary approval to proceed with its convention plans. Justice Akintola issued an interim order following an ex-parte motion filed by Folahan Adelabi against the PDP, its Acting National Chairman Umar Damagum, Governor Ahmadu Fintiri, and INEC.

However, the same judge adjourned a related hearing on Monday to allow all parties to submit and exchange necessary documents before the main proceedings begin.