Chairmanship Tussle: Court stops PDP from conducting national convention
The Federal High Court, Abuja Division, on Tuesday, restrained the Peoples Democratic Party from proceeding with its scheduled national convention pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit filed by former Governor Sule Lamido.
Justice Peter Lifu, in a ruling, also restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission from monitoring, supervising, or recognising the outcome of the convention, pending the hearing and determination of the suit before him.
Mr Lifu held that the application filed by the applicant, Mr Lamido, was meritorious and accordingly succeeded.
The judge, who noted the judgment delivered by Justice James Omotosho on October 31, stopping PDP from holding the convention, held that it would be in the interest of justice to grant Mr Lamido’s request.
He stated that if the PDP were allowed to proceed with the event, the former governor would suffer further; hence, it was necessary to grant the order.
The PDP had scheduled its national convention for November 15-16 in Ibadan.
Mr Lamido, in the motion ex parte moved by his lawyer, Jeph Njikonye, on October 31, had prayed the court to make the interim order pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice filed alongside.
The ex-governor stated that if the PDP were 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 national chairman of the party, for which he is eminently qualified.
Mr Lifu, in a ruling, had declined to grant the motion on Oct. 31 after it was moved.
The judge, rather, ordered the PDP and INEC, first and second 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 72 hours from the date they were served to respond, adjourned the matter until November 6 for a hearing.
On November 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 the hearing of the substantive matter.
(NAN)
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