Court Declines Sule Lamido’s Bid To Stop PDP National Convention
The Federal High Court in Abuja has declined to grant an application filed by former Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido, seeking an order restraining the Peoples Democratic Party from going ahead with its planned national convention.
Lamido had, through his counsel, Jeph Njikonye (SAN), filed a motion ex parte, praying the court to issue an interim order stopping the PDP from proceeding with the convention pending the hearing and determination of a motion on notice filed alongside the suit.
However, Justice Peter Lifu, in his ruling on Friday, refused to grant the request.
The judge, instead, ordered the PDP and the Independent National Electoral Commission, listed as the first and second defendants respectively, to appear before the court to show cause why the reliefs sought by the former governor should not be granted.
The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2299/2025, was filed by Lamido.
In the ex parte motion dated and filed on October 28, Lamido, through his legal team led by Njikonye, sought two orders: “An interim order of the honourable court restraining the first defendant from conducting its national convention scheduled to hold in Ibadan, Oyo State (or any other location) on November 15 and 16,2025, or on any other date the first defendant may choose, pending the hearing and determination of the plaintiff/applicant’s motion on notice before this honourable court.
“An interim order restraining the second defendant from monitoring, supervising or recognising the first defendant’s national convention scheduled to hold in Ibadan, Oyo State (or any other location) on November 15 and 16,2025, or on any other date the first defendant may choose, pending the hearing and determination of the plaintiff/applicant’s motion on notice.
Giving seven grounds in support of his application, Lamido argued that once an action is pending in court, parties are bound to maintain the status quo to prevent rendering the court’s eventual decision nugatory.
He contended that the court has inherent jurisdiction to preserve the subject matter of litigation.
Lamido maintained that if the PDP is not restrained, the party would be violating its constitution and, by implication, denying him the opportunity to contest for the position of national chairman — a position he claimed he is eminently qualified to seek.
“The plaintiff/applicant has established a prima facie legal interest in the subject matter of litigation entitling him to the grant of the interim preservative relief sought,” he stated.
Olamilekan Adigun is a graduate of Mass Communication with years of experience in journalism embedded in uncovering human interest stories. He also prioritises accuracy and factual reportage of issues.
