The Federal High Court in Abuja has stopped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from holding its national convention scheduled for November 15 and 16 in Ibadan, Oyo State, ordering that former Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido, must first be allowed to participate in the contest for National Chairman.

In a judgment delivered on Friday, Justice Peter Lifu restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from supervising, monitoring, or recognising any PDP convention conducted without Lamido’s inclusion as a valid contestant.

Justice Lifu held that evidence before the court showed that the PDP unjustly denied Lamido access to a nomination form, in clear violation of the party’s constitution and internal guidelines. He ruled that the party has a duty to create fair and open opportunities for its members to pursue political aspirations.

As a consequential order, the court directed that the planned Ibadan convention be put on hold to allow Lamido obtain the form, mobilise supporters, and campaign properly.

“An order is hereby made that before any convention is held, the PDP is to make nomination forms available to the plaintiff. In 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,” the judge declared.

The ruling reinforces an earlier decision by the same court on November 11, in which Justice Lifu issued an interim injunction stopping the PDP from going ahead with the event. Lamido, through his counsel, Jephthah Njikonye (SAN), had argued that excluding him from the process amounted to a breach of the party’s constitution and a wrongful denial of his right to contest for National Chairman.

Justice Lifu also noted that he found no reason to depart from the ruling of Justice James Omotosho delivered on October 31, 2025, which similarly barred the PDP from holding the convention and restrained INEC from taking part.

However, in a conflicting decision, the Oyo State High Court in Ibadan granted approval for the PDP to proceed with the same convention. Justice A. L. Akintola, ruling on an ex parte application filed by Oyo PDP member Folahan Adelabi, directed INEC to attend and monitor the election of new national officers.

The contradictory orders have thrown the PDP’s plans into uncertainty, setting the stage for a legal showdown over the party’s national leadership contest.