Abuja Court Halts PDP’s 2025 National Convention in Ibadan Over Constitutional Breaches
By Kayode Lawal
A Federal High Court in Abuja has delivered a final judgment preventing the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) from proceeding with its scheduled 2025 National Convention in Ibadan, Oyo State. The ruling represents a significant legal setback for the opposition party just days before the planned gathering.
Court Orders Convention Suspension
Justice Peter Odo Lifu issued the definitive order on Friday afternoon, barring the PDP from conducting its convention until the party complies with its own constitution and established guidelines. The convention, intended for November 15-16 in Ibadan, was designed to elect new national officers for the party.
The legal action was initiated by former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido, who argued the party had systematically excluded him from participation in the chairmanship race. Justice Lifu ruled that the PDP must suspend all convention activities until Lamido is permitted to purchase nomination forms and campaign for the national chairman position.
INEC Prohibited from Overseeing Proceedings
In a sweeping decision, the court also prohibited the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from supervising, monitoring, or providing any form of recognition to the Ibadan convention until Lamido’s participation is guaranteed. The judge emphasized that political parties bear strict obligations to adhere to their own regulations and provide equal opportunities to eligible members.
“It was wrong of the PDP to have denied Lamido the opportunity to purchase nomination form for the office of the national chairman of the party,” Justice Lifu stated in his ruling. He characterized the party’s actions as “a crystal clear breach of its own Constitution and guidelines.”
Earlier Legal Challenges Set the Stage
The convention’s legal troubles began earlier when Justice James Omotosho restrained INEC from recognizing the convention’s outcomes on October 31. That ruling stemmed from a separate lawsuit challenging the legality of the convention procedures.
Justice Omotosho had determined that the PDP failed to comply with multiple legal requirements, including conducting proper congresses across all states and providing the mandatory 21-day notice for meetings. The court also found that party correspondence signed solely by the National Chairman without the National Secretary violated established protocols.
Multiple Legal Fronts for PDP
The initial case was filed by three aggrieved party members: Austin Nwachukwu (Imo PDP chairman), Amah Abraham Nnanna (Abia PDP chairman), and Turnah Alabh George (PDP Secretary, South-South). Represented by Senior Advocate of Nigeria Joseph Daudu, their suit (FHC/ABJ/CS/2120/2025) highlighted systematic procedural failures within the party.
Justice Lifu had previously issued an interim injunction against the convention on November 11, but Friday’s ruling represents the final judicial word on the matter. The court found that Lamido would suffer irreparable harm if unlawfully excluded from the convention process, while the party would face minimal disruption from a temporary delay.
Broader Implications for Party Democracy
In his reasoning, Justice Lifu underscored the fundamental importance of due process in political party operations. “In a constitutional democracy, due process of law must be strictly followed by those in charge,” he stated. “To do otherwise will endanger democracy itself.”
The judge further emphasized the judiciary’s constitutional role in checking potential abuses, warning that “anarchy would be the order of the day any time, any day and anywhere the court abdicates its constitutionally assigned functions.”
The ruling leaves the PDP’s leadership election plans in disarray and raises questions about internal party democracy within Nigeria’s main opposition party. Party officials now face the challenge of reconciling internal procedures with legal requirements before proceeding with any national convention.
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