The Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday declined to grant an application filed by former Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido, seeking to restrain the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from proceeding with its scheduled national convention.
Lamido, through his counsel, Jeph Njikonye, SAN, had filed a motion ex parte praying the court for an interim order stopping the PDP from holding the convention pending the hearing and determination of a motion on notice filed alongside the suit.
In a brief ruling, Justice Peter Lifu refused to grant the interim relief and instead directed the PDP and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), who are listed as defendants, to appear and show cause why the former governor’s prayers should not be granted.
The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2299/2025, has Lamido as the plaintiff, with the PDP and INEC named as the 1st and 2nd defendants, respectively. Justice Lifu adjourned the matter to a later date for the defendants to respond and for further proceedings on the substantive motion.
Lamido, a founding member of the PDP and former Minister of Foreign Affairs, had earlier dragged the party before the Federal High Court in Abuja, seeking an order to stop its National Convention scheduled to hold in Ibadan, Oyo State, between November 15 and 16.
The convention is expected to produce new national officers to steer the affairs of the opposition party ahead of upcoming elections.
Lamido, however, contended that he was aggrieved by the manner in which the convention was being organized, alleging that he was unlawfully denied a nomination form to contest for the position of National Chairman.
In his earlier suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2229/2025 and filed by Jephthah Chikodi Njikonye, SAN, on his behalf, Lamido also sought an order prohibiting INEC from supervising, aiding, or monitoring the convention to avoid according it any form of legal recognition.
He accused the PDP of violating its Constitution and internal guidelines in the build-up to the convention, claiming that the process failed to guarantee equal opportunities for eligible members, including himself, to contest elective positions.
Lamido therefore prayed the court for a mandatory order compelling the party to make the nomination form for the office of National Chairman available to him, and another restraining INEC from supervising or recognizing any convention conducted without his participation.
