A Federal High Court in Abuja has through a final order restrained the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from conducting its National Convention scheduled to take place in Ibadan, the Oyo State, on November 15 and 16.
The presiding judge, Peter Lifu, gave the order on Friday, while delivering judgment in a suit filed by former governor of Jigawa State, Sule Lamido.
The court had on November 11, issued a temporary order restraining the party from proceeding with the planned convention pending the determination of the substantive suit.
Lamido had sued the party for allegedly denying him the opportunity to purchase the chairmanship nomination form to enable him participate in the convention.
In his judgment, Lifu held that the evidence before the court established that Lamido was unjustly denied the opportunity to obtain a nomination form to contest for the position of national chairman of the party, in violation of the PDP constitution and its internal regulations.
The judge held that PDP is under “strict” obligation to adhere to its own rules and regulations by giving opportunities to eligible members to pursue their political aspirations.
Consequently, the judge directed that the planned convention be put on hold to allow Lamido to obtain the nomination form, mobilise supporters and conduct his campaign.
“An order is hereby made that before any convention is held, the PDP is to make nomination forms available to the plaintiff,” the court ruled.
“In the light of the above, it is hereby held that the convention be put on hold for the plaintiff to obtain a nomination form, campaign and mobilise supporters.”
Lifu also restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from supervising, monitoring or recognising any convention conducted by the PDP without including the plaintiff as a contestant.
The order follows a similar ruling last month. On October 31, James Omotosho, an Abuja federal high court judge stopped the PDP from going ahead with the convention.
The judge said evidence before the court showed that the party failed to hold valid state congresses before the planned national convention as stipulated in the 1999 constitution, INEC guidelines, as well as its own constitution.
