By Duchess Ifeoluwa 

The Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday halted the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from going ahead with its national convention scheduled for the weekend, after ruling that the party violated its own constitution by refusing to sell a chairmanship nomination form to former Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido.

Justice Peter Lifu, delivering judgment in the suit filed by Lamido, also barred the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from monitoring or recognising any outcome of the convention until Lamido is allowed to purchase the form and participate in the process.

The judge held that the PDP had acted in breach of its constitution and guidelines by denying the former governor the opportunity to contest.

He dismissed the party’s argument that the issue was strictly its internal affair, ruling that once a political party violates its rules, the matter becomes justiciable.

He warned that allowing parties to disregard their own constitutions would amount to condoning impunity, illegality and abuse of the rule of law.

According to him, “No political party should be allowed to profit from the violation of its own rule or the national constitution.”

Lamido, in the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2299/2025, had initially named only the PDP and INEC as defendants.

However, the court added three more defendants: Austin Nwachukwu, the Imo PDP chairman; Amah Nnanna, the Abia PDP chairman; and Turnah Alabh George, the PDP Secretary for the South-South zone.

The trio had earlier secured a separate judgment against the party on October 31, before Justice James Omotosho.

Lamido argued that he approached both the PDP National Organising Secretary and the National Secretary on  October 27, seeking to obtain the nomination form, but was told none was available.

He said the refusal was a deliberate ploy to exclude him from contesting for the national chairmanship position, despite his eligibility under the party’s constitution.

Justice Lifu agreed, noting that the PDP’s own guideline stipulates that nominations must close at least 14 days before the convention.

He said Lamido’s attempt to obtain the form on 27 October, 19 days before the 15–16 November convention fell well within the stipulated period.

The court further held that documentary evidence presented by the PDP failed to support its actions.

Justice Lifu pointed out inconsistencies in the party’s timetable, including conflicting dates for the sale and submission of forms, and noted that one of the exhibits lacked the PDP logo and motto, rendering it devoid of evidential value.

He added that statements from the camp of the party’s alleged consensus candidate suggested a “clandestine and non-transparent process” in the sale of forms, which undermined democratic principles.

Justice Lifu ruled in Lamido’s favour on all three issues raised in the originating summons and declared that the PDP must create a fair and transparent platform for eligible members to contest for party offices.

He held that the party breached Lamido’s rights by denying him access to the nomination form.

Consequently, he issued an order compelling the PDP to make the form available to Lamido before holding any convention and directed that the exercise be suspended until he is allowed to participate.

The court also ordered INEC to refrain from supervising or recognising any election into the office of the national chairman until Lamido is granted the opportunity to obtain the form, campaign and contest.