A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has, for the second time, stopped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from going ahead with its planned National Convention slated for November 15 and 16 in Ibadan, Oyo State.
The court also restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from supervising, monitoring, or recognising the outcome of the event, where new national officers were expected to be elected.
Justice Peter Lifu issued the order on Tuesday while ruling on an application filed by a former Governor of Jigawa State, Sule Lamido, who challenged his exclusion from the process.
The judge ruled that the PDP acted contrary to its own constitution and relevant electoral laws by denying Lamido the opportunity to purchase the nomination form for the Chairmanship position.
He noted that the evidence before the court showed that the party failed to publish the timetable for the convention as required by law.
“The balance of convenience tilts in favour of the applicant, who will suffer more irreparable damage if unlawfully excluded from participating in the planned convention,” Justice Lifu held.
According to him, due process must be strictly followed by those in charge of political parties, warning that disregarding the law poses a danger to democracy.
He added that under Section 6 of the 1999 Constitution, courts must not shy away from dispensing justice without fear or favour.
“Anarchy will prevail the moment a court of record abdicates its constitutional responsibility,” the judge warned.
In his final ruling, Justice Lifu restrained the PDP from holding the convention in Ibadan or any other location until further notice and barred INEC from monitoring or recognising the outcome of any convention conducted by the party in defiance of the order.
