PDP Convention: Sule Lamido Expresses Sadness Over Suing Party Ahead of 2025 National Convention

Sule Lamido, the former governor of Jigawa State, expressed his sadness on Tuesday by bringing the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) before the Federal High Court in Abuja due to his exclusion from the party’s 2025 national convention.

Former Foreign Affairs Minister Lamido expressed regret that he had to choose the legal action despite the fact that a restraining order had been obtained against the PDP to stop the scheduled convention, which called for his celebration.

The former governor remembered his lengthy association with the PDP, which led to his election as Jigawa State’s governor and his appointment as Foreign Affairs Minister. He also mentioned that in order to obtain justice, he chose to take the PDP to court.

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He said that he had approached the PDP’s national leadership as a legitimate member in order to acquire the national chairmanship nomination form, but had been turned down.

“In this case, if my party lost, I also lost. I feel like crying taking this path. When we fight as brothers, the trust is lost; the bond of brotherhood is also lost,” he said.

Shortly after Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court, Abuja, issued an interim order prohibiting the PDP from having its 2025 National Convention, which is slated to take place in Ibadan, Oyo State, between November 15 and 16, the former governor talked with reporters.

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Additionally, the court prohibited the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from overseeing, keeping track of, or acknowledging the results of the National Convention, which is where national officers are supposed to be chosen.

In a move on notice filed by the former governor against the PDP, which he claimed denied him the chance to purchase the chairmanship nomination form so he could attend the convention, Justice Lifu issued the new order.

The judge’s limitation order against the PDP was based on the party’s refusal, disregard, and noncompliance with pertinent rules and regulations pertaining to the conduct of such conventions.

The judge concluded that Lamido’s testimony demonstrated that the convention schedule was not made available to members as required by law.

Additionally, Lamido would suffer more if he were permitted to be illegally excluded from the planned convention, according to Justice Lifu, who concluded that the balance of convenience favoured Lamido.

In order to provide a remedy, the judge stated that the former governor had promised to compensate the PDP in the event that his lawsuit was determined to be baseless.

The court stated that due process of law must be carefully adhered to by those in authority in a constitutional democracy, adding that doing otherwise would jeopardise democracy itself.

In accordance with Section 6 of the 1999 Constitution, he added, a court of law cannot renounce its duty to administer justice without fear or favour.

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According to Justice Lifu, if the court of record abandoned its constitutionally mandated duties, chaos would reign everywhere, at all times.

The judge’s final ruling prohibited the PDP from holding the convention scheduled for November 15 and 16 or any other date in Ibadan or anywhere else.

Additionally, he prevented INEC from overseeing, keeping an eye on, or acknowledging the results of any convention that the PDP could host.

Meanwhile, the court scheduled November 13 to render a decision in the substantive matter submitted by the former governor, and the parties to the case approved their separate briefs on Tuesday.

Recall that on October 31, another judge of the same court, James Omotosho, issued identical orders prohibiting INEC from overseeing or acknowledging the convention’s outcome if it was held, citing a lack of due process in the convention’s planning.

Additionally, Omotosho ruled that the PDP had neglected to provide the required 21-day notice of meetings and congresses, which would have allowed INEC to fulfil its obligatory responsibility of keeping an eye on these events.

After ruling that the PDP’s noncompliance with the law has jeopardised the planned convention, Justice Omotosho ordered the party to take the appropriate steps before holding the poll.