JUST IN: Again, Court Bars PDP 2025 Convention, Stops INEC from Recognizing Outcome

A Federal High Court in Abuja has for the second time barred the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) from holding its 2025 National Convention, scheduled for November 15 and 16 in Ibadan, Oyo State. The court also prohibited the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from supervising, monitoring, or recognizing any outcome from the convention.

The ruling was delivered on Tuesday by Justice Peter Odo Lifu in response to an application filed by former Jigawa State governor Sule Lamido, a founding member of the PDP. Lamido had challenged the party, claiming he was denied the opportunity to purchase a nomination form to contest for the chairmanship position.

Justice Lifu said the PDP had failed to comply with legal requirements for holding such conventions, including publishing the convention timetable for its members. He noted that allowing the convention to proceed could harm Lamido, who had undertaken to pay damages if his suit was deemed frivolous. The judge emphasized the importance of due process in protecting democracy and warned against the dangers of courts failing to uphold their constitutional responsibilities.

The order prohibits the PDP from holding the convention on the scheduled dates or at any other location, and bars INEC from participating in or recognizing the results of any convention organized by the party.

This follows a similar ruling by Justice James Omotosho on October 31, who had stopped INEC from supervising or acknowledging the convention, citing PDP’s failure to give the mandatory 21 days’ notice for meetings and congresses. Omotosho warned that the party’s noncompliance with legal procedures jeopardized the planned convention, advising PDP to fulfill all legal requirements before proceeding.