A dramatic legal intervention has brought the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) national convention, scheduled for November 15-16, 2025, to an abrupt halt. Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja issued a restraining order on Friday, compelling the PDP to suspend the convention and barring the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from monitoring or recognizing any outcome from the gathering. This intervention marks a significant moment in the ongoing PDP legal issues surrounding the upcoming PDP National Convention.
Court Mandates PDP National Convention Suspension Over Exclusion
The decisive ruling by Justice Lifu followed a suit filed by former Governor of Jigawa State, Sule Lamido, who alleged he was unjustly denied the opportunity to obtain a nomination form for the party’s National Chairmanship position. The court found merit in Lamido’s argument, stating that the party was obligated to ensure members had a fair chance to aspire to leadership roles and that the exclusion violated both the PDP’s constitution and its internal regulations. As a consequential order, Justice Lifu mandated that the PDP National Convention must be put on hold to allow Lamido to procure the nomination form, mobilize supporters, and conduct his campaign. This order is set to remain in effect pending the determination of the substantive suit.
Sule Lamido’s Quest for National Chairman Amidst PDP Legal Issues
Sule Lamido had formally declared his intention to contest for the National Chairman position on October 27, 2025, vowing to rebuild party unity and restore its founding ideals. He stated his commitment to democracy and his resolve to bring the party back to its former glory. However, Lamido alleged he was denied access to the nomination forms, leading him to seek legal recourse, even as he expressed sadness over being forced to take his party to court. His ambition faced a challenge from a consensus candidate, Kabir Tanimu Turaki, who had been endorsed by PDP governors from the northern states, a process Lamido and his allies reportedly deemed lacking proper consultation. The Sule Lamido exclusion has become a central point of contention in the lead-up to the PDP National Convention.
A Maze of Conflicting Court Orders and the PDP National Convention
This latest court order is not the first legal challenge to the PDP’s convention. Previously, on October 31, Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja had also stopped the convention, citing the party’s failure to comply with statutory requirements, including proper notice to INEC and holding valid state congresses. The judge had barred INEC from monitoring or recognizing the convention’s outcome until the party rectified these issues. Adding to the legal confusion, an Ibadan High Court, presided over by Justice Ladiran Akintola, had issued an interim order allowing the convention to proceed. This proliferation of conflicting rulings from courts of coordinate jurisdiction has created a significant legal quandary for the PDP leadership, impacting the legitimacy of any PDP National Convention proceedings.
Implications for PDP’s Unity and Future After PDP Convention Halt
The court’s decision has plunged the PDP into further disarray, deepening its ongoing PDP leadership crisis and raising serious questions about its unity and preparedness for future elections, particularly the 2027 general polls. The prolonged internal wrangling and legal battles have led some party figures, such as former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose, to declare the PDP “dead”. The current situation underscores a growing disregard for internal party procedures, which analysts warn could weaken its democratic foundations and electoral prospects. The unfolding political happenings within the party are being closely watched, as its ability to resolve these internal disputes will be critical for its resurgence, especially given the repeated PDP convention halted.
The Road Ahead for the PDP and its National Convention
With the PDP National Convention indefinitely postponed, the PDP faces the urgent task of navigating this complex legal landscape. The party must now comply with Justice Lifu’s order, which requires allowing Sule Lamido to obtain his nomination form and engage in campaigning. The resolution of this dispute will likely depend on the party’s willingness to adhere to due process and reconciliation, or further legal challenges may ensue. The effectiveness of INEC’s role remains uncertain as it reviews the latest court pronouncements, further complicating the immediate future of the PDP’s leadership transition and any potential PDP National Convention.
