Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja, on Tuesday, restrained the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from holding its scheduled national convention pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit filed by ex-Gov Sule Lamido of Jigawa State.
Justice Lifu also restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from monitoring, supervising or recognising the outcome of the convention, pending the hearing and determination of the suit before him.
According to the court, Lamido’s application has merit and accordingly succeeds, adding that the judgment delivered by Justice James Omotosho on Oct. 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 the PDP is allowed to go ahead with the event, Lamido would suffer more, hence, it was necessary to grant the preservative order.
The PDP had fixed its national convention to Nov. 15 and Nov. 16 in Ibadan, Oyo State.
Lamido, in the motion ex-parte moved by his lawyer, Jeph Njikonye, SAN, on Oct. 31, had prayed the court to make the interim order, pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice filed alongside.
He 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 had declined to grant the motion on Oct. 31 after it was moved and 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.
The judge who gave the defendants within 72 hours from the date they were served to respond, adjourned the matter until Nov. 6 for hearing.
On Nov. 6, the PDP and INEC filed their respective affidavits to show cause, asking the court to refuse Lamido’s application and the judge fixed today for ruling on the matter.
The judge also stood down the matter until 1pm today for hearing of the substantive matter.
