A Federal High Court in Abuja has, for the second time, “restrained the People’s Democratic Party (PDP)” from holding its National Convention, which was scheduled to take place in Ibadan, Oyo State, between November 15 and 16.
The court also barred the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) “from supervising, monitoring, or recognising the outcome” of the Convention, where national officers were expected to be elected.
Justice Peter Lifu issued the new order on Tuesday while ruling on an application filed by a former governor of Jigawa State, Sule Lamido.
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Lamido sued the party, claiming that he was “denied the opportunity to buy the Chairmanship nomination form” necessary for him to participate in the convention.
The judge based his restriction order against the PDP on the party’s refusal, neglect, and failure “to comply with relevant conditions and laws for the conduct of such conventions.”
Justice Lifu specifically held that evidence presented by 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.
Justice Lifu stated that “due process of law must be strictly followed by those in charge,” adding that to do otherwise “will endanger democracy itself.”
He emphasized the court’s role, asserting that in line with Section 6 of the 1999 Constitution, the court “must not abdicate its role of dispensing justice without fear or favour,” otherwise “anarchy would be the order of the day.”
In his final pronouncement, the Judge “restrained PDP from proceeding with the convention” billed for November 15 and 16 or any other date or place.
He also explicitly “stopped INEC from supervising, monitoring, or recognising the outcome of any convention that will be organised by the PDP.”
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