By Nchetachi Chukwuajah
The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has ordered the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to put its elective national convention scheduled to take place in Ibadan, Oyo State, on November 15 and 16 on hold
The judgement was delivered by Justice Peter Lifu on Friday, November 14, regarding the suit filed by former Jigawa State governor Sule Lamido, who is contending that he was excluded from contesting as national chairman of the party by denying him forms.
In his ruling, Justice Lifu restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from supervising, monitoring, or recognising any convention conducted by the PDP without including Lamido as a contestant.
Lifu held that the evidence before the court established that Lamido was unjustly denied the opportunity to obtain a nomination form to contest for the position of national chairman of the party, in violation of the PDP Constitution and its internal regulations.
The court affirmed that the PDP was duty-bound to create opportunities for its members to serve by adopting deliberate measures that enable them to pursue their political aspirations.
Justice Lifu consequently ordered that the planned convention be put on hold to allow Lamido to obtain the nomination form, mobilise supporters, and conduct his campaign.
The judge said: “An order is hereby made that before any convention is held, the PDP is to make nomination forms available to the plaintiff.
“In the light of the above, it is hereby held that the convention be put on hold for the plaintiff to obtain a nomination form, campaign, and mobilise supporters.”
Recall that Justice Lifu had given an interim injunction on Tuesday, November 11, stopping the convention following the prayers by Lamido.
Also, Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court had on July 31 voided the party’s convention, which is the basis on which the Nyesom Wike/Samuel Ayanwu faction relied on to warn delegates against attending the convention.
However, the acting National Chairman, Umar Iliya Damagum-led faction insisted that the convention would go on as scheduled, relying on the Ibadan High Court’s extension of the ex-parte order allowing the convention to go on.
The extension of the court’s order will remain in force until Friday, November 14, when the substantive case comes up for further hearing.
Despite the contradicting court orders and directives from the two factions of the party, preparations are in top gear ahead of the convention, with the Lekan Salami Sports Complex, Adamasingba, Ibadan, venue of the convention, wearing a new look.
When Impact Nigeria Newspaper visited the venue, it was decorated with the PDP’s flags and banners announcing the national convention, as well as posters of candidates contesting various positions.
It was also observed that there was a heavy security presence in and around the venue, with an Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) stationed at the main entrance of the venue.
