Abuja: The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to postpone its national convention until former Governor Sule Lamido of Jigawa is provided with a chairmanship nomination form. This ruling was delivered by Justice Peter Lifu, who found that the PDP had violated its own guidelines and constitution by not allowing Lamido to participate.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Justice Lifu emphasized that political parties are obligated to adhere to their own constitutions to prevent illegal actions. The court’s decision came after Lamido claimed he was denied the opportunity to purchase the nomination form when he visited the party’s national secretariat on October 27, despite the form being available until 14 days before the convention.
Justice Lifu also pointed to an exhibit where the party’s consensus candidate allegedly remarked that the means by which the form was acquired was irrelevant as long as the deadline had passed. The judge criticized this stance, indicating that the process lacked transparency and regularity.
Consequently, the court ordered the PDP to ensure all members, including Lamido, are given a fair chance to participate in the chairmanship race. Justice Lifu further directed that the national convention slated for November 15 and 16 be suspended until Lamido is allowed to exercise his constitutional right. Additionally, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is prohibited from monitoring, supervising, or acknowledging the convention’s results until the PDP complies with the court’s directive.