Former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido, a former Minister of Foreign Affairs, expressed disappointment at being forced to take the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to court after being excluded from the party’s 2025 national convention. Lamido, a long‑time PDP member whose political career includes election as Governor of Jigawa State and appointment as Foreign Affairs Minister, said he felt sad about resorting to legal action despite a restraining order already issued against the PDP. He claimed that, as a bona fide party member, he was denied the opportunity to purchase the national chairmanship nomination form and therefore sought justice through the courts, emphasizing the need for fairness within the party.
On Tuesday, Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja granted an interim order restraining the PDP from holding its 2025 National Convention, scheduled for 15‑16 November in Ibadan, Oyo State. The order also barred the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from supervising or recognizing any outcome of the convention. The judge ruled that the party had failed to comply with the legal requirements for conducting such a convention, noting that the timetable had not been published as mandated by law. He found that the balance of convenience favored Lamido, who would suffer greater harm if unlawfully excluded.
The court instructed the PDP to halt the convention and directed INEC not to supervise or recognize the results of any convention that might be organized. This decision follows a similar order issued by Judge James Omotosho on 31 October, which also stopped INEC from supervising or recognizing the convention’s outcome due to the PDP’s procedural failures. The matter has been adjourned until 13 November for judgment.
The court’s rulings underscore the importance of upholding democratic principles and the rule of law in party conventions. The outcome of this case will have significant implications for the PDP and its upcoming national convention.
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