Court Halts PDP 2025 Convention Again, Stops INEC from Recognizing Outcome

A Federal High Court in Abuja has again stopped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from holding its 2025 National Convention, which was scheduled to take place in Ibadan, Oyo State, on November 15 and 16. The court also ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) not to supervise, monitor, or recognize the outcome of the convention where new national officers were expected to emerge.

Justice Peter Odo Lifu gave the ruling on Tuesday following a case filed by former Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido. Lamido, who is one of the founding members of the PDP, took the party to court after he was allegedly denied the chance to purchase the nomination form for the chairmanship position, thereby preventing him from contesting in the planned convention.

Justice Lifu based his decision on the party’s failure to comply with the legal and procedural requirements for conducting such a convention. He noted that evidence presented by Lamido showed that the timetable for the exercise was not properly published for members as required by law. The judge explained that allowing the party to proceed despite the procedural flaws would cause harm to Lamido, who had shown intent to participate.

To balance justice, the court accepted Lamido’s commitment to pay damages to the PDP if his legal action was later found to be without merit. Justice Lifu stated that those responsible for organizing political activities must always follow due process to protect the rule of law and prevent the breakdown of democratic order.

The court’s decision also restricted INEC from overseeing or acknowledging any result that might come from the planned convention or any similar event conducted elsewhere by the PDP.

This ruling comes barely two weeks after another Federal High Court judge, Justice James Omotosho, gave a similar order restraining INEC from supervising or recognizing any PDP convention if held without proper notice. Justice Omotosho had faulted the party for failing to issue the required 21-day notice to INEC, as mandated by law, for such gatherings. He stated that the PDP’s non-compliance placed the planned convention at risk and advised the party to correct the irregularities before proceeding.

With two court orders now in effect, the PDP faces a major setback in its plan to conduct the 2025 convention, as both rulings have effectively halted any form of official recognition or monitoring by INEC until all legal conditions are met.