The Federal High Court in Abuja has rejected a request by former Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido, seeking to stop the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from holding its upcoming national convention.
Justice Peter Lifu, who presided over the case on Friday, declined to grant Lamido’s ex parte motion, which sought an interim order restraining the PDP and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from proceeding with the convention scheduled for November 15 and 16, 2025, in Ibadan, Oyo State.
Instead, the judge ordered both the PDP and INEC—listed as the first and second defendants respectively—to appear before the court and show cause why Lamido’s request should not be approved.
The case, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2299/2025, was filed by Lamido through his lawyer, Jeph Njikonye (SAN). The former governor sought two interim injunctions restraining the PDP from conducting the convention and INEC from monitoring or recognizing it pending the determination of a substantive motion.
Lamido argued that once a suit has been filed, parties are obligated to maintain the status quo to prevent rendering the court’s eventual decision meaningless. He maintained that the PDP’s planned convention would breach the party’s constitution and deny him a fair opportunity to contest for the position of national chairman—a post he said he is qualified to occupy.
He further contended that granting an interim order was necessary to preserve the subject matter of the suit, noting that once the convention is held, the court’s intervention would be futile.
However, after hearing the ex parte motion in chambers, Justice Lifu ruled that it was essential to give the defendants a chance to respond before making any orders. The judge gave them 72 hours from the date of service to file their replies and adjourned the matter to November 6, 2025, for hearing.
Lamido, a founding member of the PDP and former Minister of Foreign Affairs, governed Jigawa State between 2007 and 2015. He remains a prominent voice in the party, especially on issues concerning internal democracy and leadership.
The PDP, Nigeria’s main opposition party, has been grappling with internal divisions since the 2023 general elections, with disputes over zoning, leadership, and the party’s future direction. National conventions, which serve as the highest decision-making gatherings of the party, have often been flashpoints for such internal rivalries.
Lamido’s latest suit adds to the growing list of legal battles affecting the party’s leadership structure. By directing the PDP and INEC to show cause rather than granting an immediate injunction, the court has allowed the party to continue preparations for the convention while ensuring that Lamido’s grievances are heard.
The matter is expected to return to court after the defendants’ responses are filed.
