A Federal High Court in Abuja has issued a second restraining order against the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), prohibiting it from holding its 2025 National Convention in Ibadan, Oyo State, on November 15 and 16. The order also bars the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from supervising, monitoring, or recognizing the convention’s outcome. Justice Peter Odo Lifu granted the injunction after former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido, a founding member of the PDP, filed an application alleging that he was denied the chance to purchase a chairmanship nomination form, effectively excluding him from the convention.
The court found that the PDP had failed to comply with the legal requirements for conducting the convention, including the mandatory publication of a timetable for its members. Justice Lifu held that the balance of convenience favored Lamido, who would suffer greater harm if he were unlawfully excluded. To mitigate potential losses, Lamido agreed to pay damages to the PDP should his suit be deemed frivolous. Emphasizing due process and the rule of law, the judge cited Section 6 of the 1999 Constitution and warned that anarchy would ensue if the court’s constitutional duties were ignored.
This is the second such order from a Federal High Court. Earlier, Judge James Omotosho had also barred INEC from supervising or recognizing the convention’s outcome because the PDP failed to issue the required 21‑day notice of meetings and congresses, a prerequisite for INEC monitoring. The court’s decisions have significant implications for the PDP’s plans to elect new national officers; the party must now adhere to the relevant laws and regulations before proceeding with the convention. The development is being closely watched, as it could affect the PDP’s preparations for the upcoming elections.
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