The crisis rocking the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) deepened on Tuesday as the Federal High Court in Abuja once again stopped the party from holding its much-anticipated 2025 National Convention, originally scheduled for November 15–16 in Ibadan, Oyo State.
This marks the second time in two weeks that a court has restrained the PDP from proceeding with its national gathering, where new national officers were expected to emerge.
Justice Peter Odo Lifu, delivering the latest ruling, issued a fresh restraining order against both the PDP and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), prohibiting the electoral body from supervising, monitoring, or recognizing any outcome of the planned convention.
The decision followed a suit filed by former Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido, one of the PDP’s founding members. Lamido alleged that the party had unlawfully excluded him from the chairmanship race by denying him access to the nomination form, thus violating his right to participate in the democratic process.
Justice Lifu ruled that the PDP failed to meet the statutory and procedural requirements necessary for organizing such a convention. He noted that the party did not publish a proper timetable for members’ awareness, as stipulated by law.
The court held that the balance of convenience favoured Lamido, emphasizing that he would suffer greater injustice if the event proceeded without his participation. The judge also commended Lamido’s undertaking to pay damages should his case prove frivolous.
“In a constitutional democracy, due process must be strictly observed by those in authority. To do otherwise is to endanger democracy itself,” Justice Lifu declared, adding that courts must protect the rule of law without fear or favour.
Consequently, the court ordered the PDP to suspend all convention plans in Ibadan or elsewhere until full compliance with internal and electoral regulations is achieved. INEC was also directed not to monitor or recognize any outcome that might arise from such an exercise.
This latest ruling comes after Justice James Omotosho, also of the Federal High Court, issued a similar injunction on October 31, faulting the PDP’s leadership for violating procedural requirements. Justice Omotosho held that the party had failed to hold valid congresses in some states and had issued meeting notices signed only by the National Chairman, without the National Secretary’s endorsement rendering such communications legally defective.
He further noted that the PDP violated the mandatory 21-day notice rule to INEC ahead of its planned convention, warning that such lapses undermined transparency and legality within the party.
With this fresh order, the PDP’s internal leadership crisis appears to have intensified, casting uncertainty over the party’s readiness to reposition itself ahead of the 2027 general elections.
