Court Orders Fresh Halt to PDP National Convention as Legal Battles Intensify

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has suffered another major setback in its efforts to hold a national convention, as the Federal High Court in Abuja issued a fresh restraining order on Tuesday, blocking the party from proceeding with its scheduled event in Ibadan, Oyo State. Justice Peter Lifu granted the order while ruling on an application filed by former Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido, who alleged he was unlawfully excluded from contesting for the national chairmanship position.

The court found that the PDP had failed to comply with essential legal requirements governing the conduct of such conventions. Evidence presented showed that the party did not publish the mandatory timetable for the exercise as required by law, thereby breaching due process. Justice Lifu emphasised that in a constitutional democracy, strict adherence to the rule of law is non-negotiable, warning that failure to observe proper procedures endangers the very foundation of democracy itself.

The ruling also extended to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which has been barred from supervising, monitoring, or recognising any outcome from the planned convention scheduled for November 15 and 16. The judge ordered that the PDP must not hold the convention on those dates or any other date, whether in Ibadan or elsewhere, until all statutory requirements are met.

Balance of Convenience Favours Excluded Candidate

In his judgment, Justice Lifu applied the legal principle of balance of convenience, determining that Sule Lamido would suffer greater harm if unlawfully excluded from the convention process than the party would experience from a postponement. The former governor had sued the PDP after being denied the opportunity to purchase the nomination form for the national chairmanship position, effectively barring him from participating in the leadership election.

The judge reinforced the judiciary’s constitutional mandate under Section 6 of the 1999 Constitution, stressing that courts must deliver justice without fear or favour. He warned that anarchy could result wherever the judiciary fails to perform its constitutional duties, underscoring the critical role of the courts in maintaining democratic order and protecting citizens’ rights.

This latest ruling represents a continuation of the legal challenges that have plagued the PDP’s convention plans. The party’s leadership has been criticised for allegedly sidelining certain members and failing to follow internal democratic processes, accusations that have now found judicial validation in multiple court rulings.

Multiple Legal Fronts Create Confusion Over PDP Convention Status

The PDP’s convention plans have become entangled in a web of conflicting court orders across different jurisdictions. In October 2025, Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja had previously halted the convention following a suit filed by three party chairmen from the South-East and South-South zones—Austin Nwachukwu (Imo), Amah Abraham Nnanna (Abia), and Turnah Alabh George (PDP Secretary, South-South). They argued that the planned convention violated both the Electoral Act and the PDP’s internal constitution.

However, adding to the confusion, the Oyo State High Court granted the PDP permission to proceed with its convention on November 4, when Justice Akintola issued an interim order allowing the party to continue its preparations without obstruction. This order came in response to an ex-parte motion filed by Folahan Adelabi against the party’s leadership, including Acting National Chairman Umar Damagum and Governor Ahmadu Fintiri, who chairs the National Convention Organising Committee.

On Monday, Justice Akintola adjourned the hearing of a related Motion on Notice to allow both parties to file and exchange all necessary processes. The multiplicity of suits across different courts has created a complex legal landscape that the PDP must navigate before it can successfully hold its national convention to elect new officers. The party’s leadership now faces the challenge of resolving these legal obstacles while maintaining internal cohesion among its increasingly fractured membership base.