Federal High Court Suspends PDP Convention Over Sule Lamido’s Legal Challenge

The Federal High Court in Abuja has delivered a significant legal ruling halting the planned 2025 National Convention of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) until former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido is given the rightful opportunity to buy the nomination form, undergo screening, and contest for the party’s national chairmanship position. Justice Peter Lifu, who presided over the case, emphasized that the PDP must adhere strictly to its constitution and rules by allowing eligible members to participate fully in its electoral processes.

The court also directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to refrain from supervising, monitoring, or recognizing any activities related to the PDP convention across all potential venues, including the scheduled event in Ibadan. This judicial intervention follows a suit filed by Sule Lamido challenging his exclusion from the chairmanship race. The ruling effectively puts the PDP’s convention on hold until the court’s orders are fully respected.

This high court directive aligns with previous injunctions aiming to address factional disputes within the PDP and ensure due process in party elections. It comes amid contrasting rulings from other courts, including one from an Oyo State High Court that had previously permitted the convention to proceed.

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The Federal High Court’s firm stance asserts the importance of legal compliance and fairness in party leadership contests.The suspension has prompted internal adjustments within the PDP, including the suspension of activities directed by the party’s national leadership while awaiting the final determination of Lamido’s substantive suit.

The development is set to impact the political timetable and preparations for the PDP’s leadership transition process as the party approaches the end of the current leadership tenure.This case highlights ongoing tensions within the PDP over leadership succession and the critical role of the judiciary in resolving electoral disputes within political parties in Nigeria ​.