A Federal High Court in Abuja has delivered another major blow to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), halting the party's planned national convention and creating fresh complications for the opposition party's internal affairs.
Court Orders Convention Suspension
Justice Peter Lifu, in a ruling delivered on Friday, November 14, 2025, ordered the immediate suspension of all arrangements for the PDP national convention scheduled to hold in Ibadan, Oyo State, during the weekend. The judge directed the party to include former Jigawa State governor, Sule Lamido, as a contestant for the National Chairmanship position before any convention can proceed.
The court found that Lamido had been unjustly denied the opportunity to obtain a nomination form for the office of National Chairman. Justice Lifu declared this action violated both the PDP's constitution and internal regulations governing party operations.
INEC Barred From Convention Supervision
In a significant development, the court also restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognizing, supervising, or monitoring any convention conducted without Lamido's inclusion as a participant. This order effectively prevents the electoral body from providing any official oversight to the event until the court's conditions are met.
Justice Lifu emphasized that political parties must provide equal opportunities for all members seeking leadership positions and cannot arbitrarily exclude any aspirant without proper justification.
Consequential Orders and Timeline
As part of the consequential orders, the judge directed the PDP to allow Lamido adequate time to purchase the nomination form, mobilize his supporters, and conduct a proper campaign before any future convention date can be fixed. This requirement suggests that even if the party complies with the court order, the convention cannot be rescheduled immediately.
The ruling introduces yet another layer of complexity for the already embattled opposition party, which has been grappling with internal power struggles, factional loyalty wars, and disagreements among key stakeholders ahead of the 2025 political calendar.
Broader Political Context
This legal development comes amid growing tensions within the PDP. Former Senate President Bukola Saraki had earlier urged the party leadership to suspend the planned convention, describing it as a potential recipe for deeper crisis within the opposition party.
However, not all party members supported this position. An ex-media aide to the PDP national chairman, Iliya Damagum, had criticized Saraki, describing him as "Wike's man" working to destabilize the party. He also accused Lamido of exploiting legal disputes for personal political gain.
The court's decision represents the latest chapter in the ongoing drama surrounding the PDP's leadership crisis and raises questions about the party's ability to resolve internal disputes ahead of future electoral contests.
