A Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed November 11 for ruling on a motion by former Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido, seeking to stop the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from holding its national convention.
Justice Peter Lifu announced the date on Thursday after counsel to the parties adopted their final arguments for and against the application.
The court had earlier, on October 31, refused to grant Lamido’s ex-parte motion seeking an interim order to halt the convention pending the determination of his motion on notice.
Instead, Justice Lifu directed that the defendants be put on notice to appear before the court and show cause why the interim injunction sought by Lamido should not be granted.
Listed as defendants in the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/2299/2025. are the PDP and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
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At the resumption of proceedings on Thursday, Lamido’s lawyer, Jeph Njikonye (SAN) recalled that the court had ordered the defendants to show cause why his client’s request should not be granted.
PDP’s lawyer, Omokayode Dada, (SAN) and that of INEC, Adamu Bello said they complied with the court order by separate affidavits as required, which they served on the plaintiff.
In his submission, Dada faulted Lamido’s claim that he was denied the opportunity to purchase PDP’s nomination form.
Dada queried the court’s jurisdiction to hear the case which, he claimed relates to the internal affairs of the party.
He urged the court to dismiss the suit.
In its affidavit, the PDP stated that the days fixed by its National Working Committee (NWC) for the purchase of nomination form for all aspirants for national elective positions in the convention expired before October 27 when Lamido visited the party’s national headquarters.
It said the party’s leadership had earlier approved the timetable and schedule of activity for the year 2025 elective national convention.
The party said the timetable and schedule of activities were between September 3 and 30, adding that all its members are bound by it constitution, guidelines, notices and it decisions.
The PDP denied violating any of the provisions of the its constitution and guidelines as well as the rights of any aspirant.
Bello prayed the court to refuse Lamido’s prayers, noting that the reliefs sought against his client in the motion were the same as prayers in Lamido’s originating summons pending before the court.
He argued that granting the interim or interlocutory injunction sought would amount to prejudging the substantive issues in the suit.
Bello added that the plaintiff’s motion amounted to an invitation to the court to interfere in the domestic affairs of a political party.
INEC, in the affidavit, said that a court of record should not dabble into a political question which remains the exclusive preserve of political parties which should be allowed to do their things.
On his part, Njikonye urged the court to refuse the defendants’ prayer for the rejection of his client’s request.
He argued that INEC, which ought to be unbiased, could not be seen crying more than the bereaved.
The plaintiff’s counsel argued that the second defendant, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), must maintain its independence and neutrality in all electoral matters, stressing that the Commission “cannot afford to act like a political party.”
He maintained that it was within the court’s powers to issue appropriate orders in the matter.
Earlier, the court granted the application by three officials of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) seeking to be joined as parties in the suit.
Those joined are Hon. Austine Nwachukwu (Imo PDP Chairman), Hon. Amah Abraham Nnanna (Abia PDP Chairman), and Hon. Turnah George (PDP Secretary, South-South Zone).
Justice Peter Lifu granted the joinder after their counsel, Joseph Daudu (SAN), moved a motion to that effect.
While arguing the motion, Daudu informed the court that his clients were the plaintiffs in a separate case before Justice James Omotosho, who on October 31 delivered a judgment restraining INEC from recognising the PDP’s planned national convention slated for November 15 and 16.
