Again, a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, on Tuesday, restrained the Peoples Democratic Party from holding its 2025 National Convention scheduled for November 15 and 16 in Ibadan, Oyo State capital.
National officers to run the affairs of the party for the next four years are expected to be elected at the Ibadan convention.
But the court also barred the Independent National Electoral Commission from supervising, monitoring or recognising the outcome of the scheduled national convention.
Presiding judge, Justice Peter Odo Lifu gave the fresh order on Tuesday while delivering ruling in an application brought by a former governor of Jigawa state, Sule Lamido.
Lamido, who is also a foundation member of the PDP, had sued the party for allegedly denying him the opportunity to buy Chairmanship nomination form to enable him to participate in the convention.
The judge based the restriction order against PDP on the grounds that the party refused, neglected and failed to comply with relevant conditions and laws for the conduct of such conventions.
According to the court, evidence from Lamido showed that the timetable for the convention was not published for the attention of its members as required by law.
The judge further held that the balance of convenience tilted towards Lamido because he would suffer more if allowed to be unlawfully excluded from the planned convention.
Judge said that to make remedy, Lamido had undertaken to pay damages to PDP if his suit was eventually found to be frivolous.
Justice Lifu further held that in a constitutional democracy, due process of law must be strictly followed by those in charge, noting that acting otherwise will endanger democracy itself.
The judge also averred that in line with Section 6 of the 1999 Constitution, a court of law must not abdicate its role of dispensing justice without fear or favour.
The court held that anarchy would be the order of the day any time, any day and anywhere the court abdicates its constitutionally assigned functions.
Justice Lifu, in his final pronouncement, restrained the PDP from proceeding with the convention billed for November 15 and 16 or any other date in Ibadan or any other place.
The court also stopped INEC from supervising, monitoring or recognising the outcome of any convention organised by PDP.
On October 31, Justice James Omotosho had issued similar orders stopping INEC from supervising or recognising outcome of the convention if conducted.
His ground was predicated on the facts that due process was not followed in the way the convention was being planned.
Omotosho also held that the PDP failed to issue the mandatory 21 days notice of meetings and congresses to enable INEC carry out its mandatory duty of monitoring such meetings and congresses.
The court held that the failure of the PDP to comply with the law has jeopardised the planned convention, and subsequently advised the party to do the necessary before going ahead with the election.
The judge, therefore, restrained INEC from receiving, publishing or recognising the outcome of the convention slated for Ibadan, until the law has been complied with.
