The Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday issued an order restraining the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, from proceeding with its planned national convention, originally scheduled for November 15–16 in Ibadan, Oyo State.
The restraining order will remain in effect pending the hearing and determination of a substantive suit filed by former Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido.
Justice Peter Lifu, who presided over the case, also barred the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from monitoring, supervising, or recognising any outcome from the convention while the case is ongoing.
In his ruling, the judge stated that Lamido’s application was meritorious and noted that allowing the convention to proceed could cause irreparable harm to the former governor.
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The ruling follows an earlier judgment by Justice James Omotosho on October 31, which similarly halted PDP from holding the convention.
Justice Lifu emphasized that the preservative order was necessary to prevent further prejudice against Lamido, who contends that the party’s planned convention violates its constitution and could undermine his opportunity to contest for the position of national chairman.
Lamido filed an ex-parte motion through his lawyer, Jeph Njikonye, SAN, on October 31, requesting the interim order ahead of the substantive hearing.
Initially, Justice Lifu declined to grant the motion immediately, instead directing PDP and INEC—named as the first and second defendants in the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2299/2025—to show cause why Lamido’s reliefs should not be granted. The defendants were given 72 hours to respond.
On November 6, both PDP and INEC filed affidavits in opposition to Lamido’s application, prompting Justice Lifu to schedule Tuesday for the ruling. Ahead of the substantive hearing, the judge temporarily stood down the matter until 1 p.m.
The case has highlighted ongoing internal disputes within the PDP, with Lamido insisting that he remains eminently qualified to contest the party’s national chairmanship.
His legal challenge underscores the tension between different factions within the party, as members prepare for a high-stakes convention intended to shape the PDP’s leadership ahead of the 2027 electoral cycle.
