The Federal High Court in Abuja has rejected an application by former Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido, seeking to stop the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from proceeding with its planned national convention.
Justice Peter Lifu, in a ruling delivered on Friday, refused to grant Lamido’s request for an interim order restraining the PDP and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from going ahead with the event.
Instead, the judge directed the two defendants to appear before the court to show cause why the reliefs sought by Lamido should not be granted.
Lamido, through his counsel, Jephthah Chikodi Njikonye (SAN), filed the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CD/2229/2025, alleging that he was “unlawfully and illegally denied” access to the nomination form required to contest for the position of National Chairman at the upcoming Ibadan convention.
He contended that the party violated its constitution and internal electoral guidelines by denying him participation, thereby breaching the principles of fairness and equal opportunity.
“The party failed to create equal opportunities for qualified aspirants, including myself, to contest for elective offices at the national convention,” Lamido stated in his supporting affidavit.
He further argued that the process for the convention excluded key stakeholders and was “fundamentally flawed,” urging the court to intervene before the exercise proceeds.
The former minister and founding PDP member asked the court to issue a mandatory injunction compelling the party to make available the nomination form for his chairmanship bid.
He also sought an order barring INEC from supervising or recognising any convention conducted without his inclusion, warning that such an event would “confer illegal legitimacy on a constitutionally defective process.”
Lamido maintained that proceeding with the convention without addressing his grievances would amount to “a breach of natural justice and internal democracy.”
Ruling on the ex parte motion, Justice Lifu ordered the PDP and INEC to appear before the court to explain why Lamido’s prayers should not be granted.
The order implies that while the convention may not yet be halted, the party must justify its actions and respond to the allegations before the court decides on the next step.
Lamido, in his fresh suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2299/2025, listed the PDP and INEC as the first and second defendants, respectively.