The Peoples Democratic Party’s National Convention scheduled to take place this weekend in Ibadan has been stopped by an order of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja.
Justice Peter Lifu delivered the ruling on Friday, directing the party to suspend all arrangements for the convention and instructing the Independent National Electoral Commission not to supervise, monitor or recognise any activity linked to the planned event.
The judgement followed a suit filed by former Jigawa State governor, Sule Lamido, who told the court he was unlawfully barred from purchasing the nomination form for the position of National Chairman.
Justice Lifu agreed, holding that evidence before the court showed Lamido was denied access to the form contrary to the PDP Constitution and internal regulations. He described the action as one that undermined the rights of party members to pursue legitimate political aspirations.
The court noted that the party is obligated to provide equal opportunity for every member willing to serve, and must put measures in place to prevent discrimination or deliberate exclusion.
As part of the consequential orders, Justice Lifu directed the PDP to make the nomination form available to Lamido and allow him adequate time to mobilise, engage supporters and run his campaign before any convention can be convened.
The ruling throws the party’s already tense preparations into uncertainty, coming less than 24 hours before the scheduled commencement of the convention.
