- By Precious Olusayo || Premier World News
A Federal High Court in Abuja has again halted the planned National Convention of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), restraining the party from proceeding with the exercise scheduled for November 15 – 16 in Ibadan, Oyo State.
In a ruling on Tuesday, Justice Peter Lifu also barred the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from supervising, monitoring, or recognising the outcome of the convention, where national officers are expected to be elected.
The order followed a suit filed by former Jigawa State governor, Sule Lamido, who told the court he was unlawfully denied access to purchase the nomination form for the PDP National Chairmanship position, thereby excluding him from participating in the convention.
Justice Lifu held that the PDP failed to comply with mandatory legal requirements for conducting its national convention, including the publication of a timetable to properly notify party members.
He said allowing the process to continue would cause Lamido irreparable harm and undermine due process.
He emphasised that political parties must strictly adhere to their own constitutions and electoral guidelines, warning that deviations threaten internal democracy.
“The court must not abdicate its constitutional duty to dispense justice. When due process collapses, anarchy follows”, he stated.
The latest ruling comes weeks after Justice James Omotosho of the same Federal High Court issued a similar order stopping the PDP convention in October.
However, a conflicting ruling by Justice Ladiran Akintola of the Oyo State High Court had directed the party to proceed.
The PDP leadership is yet to issue an official response to the fresh court order.
