..Again, Oyo Court orders Party to proceed
..Abuja Court restrain Party from holding National Convention
…I Filed Suit To Restore My Right, Won’t Attend Nov 15 Convention – Lamido
The Federal High Court in Abuja has issued a final order halting the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from proceeding with its national convention scheduled for November 15 and 16 in Ibadan, Oyo State.
Justice Peter Lifu, delivering judgment in a suit filed by former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido, ruled that the convention cannot hold until the party complies with its constitution and allows Lamido to purchase the nomination form for the position of National Chairman.
The judge also restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from supervising, monitoring or providing any form of support for the convention until Lamido’s rights are restored.
Justice Lifu held that the PDP is under a strict obligation to abide by its own internal rules and cannot deny eligible members the opportunity to aspire to party offices. He faulted the party’s refusal to sell nomination forms to Lamido, describing it as a breach of fairness and party guidelines.
Lamido, through his lawyer Jeph Njikonye, filed an ex parte motion on October 31 seeking interim protection of his rights. Although the court initially declined granting the interim order, it directed the PDP and INEC to show cause within 72 hours. Friday’s judgment effectively sustained his prayers.
Oyo Court Maintains Order to Proceed
In a parallel development, an Oyo State High Court in Ibadan ruled that its earlier order compelling the PDP to proceed with the convention remains valid.
Justice A. L. Akintola reaffirmed his November 4 interim injunction directing the PDP and its acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, to follow the party’s timetable for the convention.
Although INEC’s counsel challenged the court’s jurisdiction—arguing that only the Federal High Court can adjudicate matters involving the commission—the court adjourned ruling on the objection to December 8, stating that all previous orders remain in force.
Conflicting Judgments, Heightened Tension
Friday’s rulings have added fresh layers to an already complicated legal battle. Last month, Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja similarly restrained the PDP from holding the convention.
Despite the conflicting decisions, preparations at Ibadan’s Lekan Salami (Adamasingba) Stadium intensified on Friday, with delegates arriving ahead of Saturday’s scheduled opening.
Governors Insist Convention Will Hold
PDP governors and major stakeholders, after a late-night meeting on Thursday at the Bauchi State Governor’s Lodge in Abuja, declared that the November 15–16 convention dates remain “irrevocable.”
Present at the meeting were members of the National Working Committee, serving and former governors, National Assembly caucus members, Board of Trustees (BoT) members and state party chairmen.
Saraki Recommends Caretaker Committee
Amid the raging disputes, former Senate President Bukola Saraki has advised the party to suspend the convention and constitute a caretaker committee.
He issued the recommendation after meeting the PDP BoT reconciliation team, arguing that only such a temporary body could stabilise the party and restore trust among aggrieved members.
“This must be done in the next two days. It is the path to true reconciliation,” Saraki wrote on X.
Lamido: I Went to Court to Restore My Dignity
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Sule Lamido defended his decision to go to court, insisting it was a personal fight for dignity, not a battle against the party.
“I went to court to get my rights back. It’s about my own personality and honour being restored,” he said.
Lamido dismissed suggestions that he would attend the Ibadan convention, saying doing so would mean renouncing the very judgment that restored his rights.
“For someone saved by the court, I can’t go where there is an injunction. Going to the convention would wash away what I gained,” he stated.
He also blamed PDP governors for weakening the party, noting that the number of PDP governors had drastically dwindled under the current leadership.
Crisis Deepens Ahead of Convention
The PDP now finds itself entangled in a maze of conflicting court orders, internal disagreements, and unresolved grievances as the scheduled convention date arrives.
While courts in Abuja and Ibadan have issued opposing directives, Lamido maintains he will abide strictly by the Abuja court order, while the party leadership insists preparations cannot be reversed.
With delegates already gathering in Ibadan and two courts issuing contradictory orders, the PDP faces one of its most defining internal tests since the 2015 electoral defeat.
