Again Court Stops PDP’s 2025 Convention Again, Bars INEC from Monitoring Ibadan Exercise
A Federal High Court in Abuja has, for the second time, issued an order restraining the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) from holding its 2025 National Convention scheduled to take place in Ibadan, Oyo State, between November 15 and 16.
The court equally barred the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from supervising, monitoring, or recognizing the outcome of the proposed convention, where new national officers were expected to emerge.
Justice Peter Odo Lifu delivered the latest ruling on Tuesday in response to an application filed by former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido.
PulseNets learned that Lamido, one of the PDP’s founding members, approached the court claiming he was denied the opportunity to purchase the chairmanship nomination form—effectively shutting him out of the leadership contest.
Justice Lifu based his restraining order on findings that the PDP allegedly refused, neglected, and failed to comply with the legal requirements governing the conduct of national conventions.
He held that evidence presented by Lamido demonstrated that the timetable and guidelines for the convention were not published for the attention of party members, contrary to statutory provisions.
The judge further ruled that the balance of convenience favoured Lamido, stressing that the former governor risked suffering irreparable harm if unlawfully excluded from the planned exercise.
To address potential damage to the party, Justice Lifu noted that Lamido had undertaken to pay compensation to the PDP should his suit later be deemed frivolous.
Emphasising constitutional principles, the judge stated, “In a constitutional democracy, due process must be strictly observed by those entrusted with authority. Anything less threatens the very foundation of democratic order.”
He added that under Section 6 of the 1999 Constitution, the court must never abdicate its mandate of dispensing justice without fear or favour.
According to him, “Anarchy becomes inevitable the moment a court of law abandons its constitutional responsibility.”
In his final orders, Justice Lifu restrained the PDP from proceeding with its November 15–16 convention or convening it on any other date in Ibadan or elsewhere. He also barred INEC from supervising, monitoring, or recognizing the outcome of any such convention until full compliance with the law is demonstrated.
This latest ruling comes after a separate order issued on October 31 by Justice James Omotosho of the same Federal High Court, who also stopped INEC from monitoring or recognizing the convention if held under prevailing conditions.
According to details obtained by PulseNets, Justice Omotosho ruled that the PDP failed to comply with due process in planning the event, including the mandatory 21-day notice required for meetings, congresses, and conventions, which allows INEC to fulfil its statutory oversight role.
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Justice Omotosho held that the party’s failure to meet these legal obligations placed the entire convention at risk. He advised the PDP to correct the lapses before attempting to proceed with the election.
He therefore restrained INEC from receiving, publishing, or recognizing any outcome from the proposed Ibadan convention pending full compliance with applicable laws.
