Abuja, Nigeria — November 11, 2025
In a fresh blow to Nigeria’s main opposition party, the Federal High Court in Abuja has issued an interim order barring the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from proceeding with its long-awaited national convention, scheduled for November 15 and 16 in Ibadan, Oyo State.
Justice Peter Lifu delivered the ruling Tuesday morning, granting an ex-parte application by former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido, who alleges the party unlawfully denied him access to the national chairmanship nomination form.123 The court also restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from monitoring, supervising, or recognizing any outcomes from the event, pending resolution of Lamido’s substantive suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2299/2025.06
“This application is meritorious and succeeds,” Justice Lifu declared, emphasizing that allowing the convention to proceed would cause “irreparable harm” to Lamido, a founding PDP member and two-term governor from 1999 to 2007.14 He cited the party’s alleged failure to publish a proper timetable or adhere to constitutional guidelines for aspirant participation, echoing a similar injunction issued by Justice James Omotosho on October 31, which had temporarily stalled the gathering.310
Lamido, represented by Senior Advocate of Nigeria Jephthah Njikonye, argued in his October 28 motion that the PDP’s actions violate the party’s constitution and internal democracy principles, effectively excluding him from a contest he claims to be “eminently qualified” for.214 He seeks a mandatory injunction compelling the issuance of the form and halting the convention until due process is followed.
On October 31, Justice Lifu initially declined the interim relief but ordered the PDP and INEC to show cause within 72 hours, adjourning to November 6.71213 Both defendants filed counter-affidavits on November 6, insisting Lamido missed the nomination window and that the process complied with party rules.8 The court stood down proceedings until 1 p.m. Tuesday for the substantive hearing.
The PDP, which has been without a substantive national chairman since Iyorchia Ayu’s suspension in March 2023, had hoped the Ibadan convention would install new leadership amid internal fractures and ahead of the 2027 elections.05 The event, themed around unity and renewal, was set to draw thousands of delegates and resolve lingering disputes from the 2023 polls.
Reactions poured in swiftly on social media, with X users decrying the PDP as a “dead walking party” plagued by “double wahala” from endless litigation.152023 One post lamented the treatment of Lamido, a party stalwart: “It is unfair to treat Baba Sule Lamido like this despite his loyalty and sacrifices. Haba.”15 News outlets like TVC and Channels Television amplified the ruling, warning of further delays to the opposition’s reorganization.176
Political analysts view the case as symptomatic of deeper PDP woes, including zoning controversies and factional rivalries that have fueled over a dozen lawsuits since August.34 “The balance of convenience favors Lamido; democracy demands inclusivity,” Justice Lifu noted, underscoring the court’s role in enforcing party constitutions.1
As the afternoon hearing looms, PDP spokespersons remained tight-lipped, but sources indicate the party may appeal or seek consolidation with parallel suits. For Lamido, the order buys time in a high-stakes tussle that could reshape Nigeria’s opposition landscape—or deepen its divisions.
