The Federal High Court in Abuja, on Tuesday, restrained the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from going ahead with its scheduled national convention in Ibadan, Oyo State, pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit filed by former Governor of Jigawa State, Sule Lamido.
Justice Peter Lifu held that the application filed by Lamido was meritorious.
He also restrained the Independent National Electrical Commission (INEC) from monitoring, supervising or recognising the outcome of the convention, pending the hearing and determination of the suit before him.
The judge, who noted the judgement delivered by Justice James Omotosho on October 31 stopping PDP from holding the convention, held that it would be in the interest of justice to grant Lamido’s request.
He said if PDP is allowed to go ahead with the event, the former governor would suffer more, hence, it was necessary to grant the preservative order.
The PDP had fixed its national convention to November 15 and 16.
Lamido, in the motion ex-parte moved by his lawyer, Jeph Njikonye, SAN, on October 31, prayed the court to make the interim order, pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice filed alongside.
The ex-governor said if the PDP was not restrained by the court, the party would be violating its constitution, and by implication denying him the opportunity to contest for the position of the national chairman of the party of which he is eminently qualified to contest.
Justice Lifu, in a ruling, had declined to grant the motion on October 31 after it was moved.
The judge, rather ordered the PDP and INEC that are 1st and 2nd defendants in the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/2299/2025, to come and show cause why the ex-governor’s reliefs should not be granted.
Justice Lifu, who gave the defendants within 72 hours from the date they were served to respond, adjourned the matter until November 6 for hearing.
On November 6, the PDP and INEC filed their respective affidavit to show cause, asking the court to refuse Lamido’s application and the judge fixed Tuesday for ruling on the matter.
