AfriPulse
Federal High Court in Abuja has turned down an application by former Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido, seeking to stop the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from holding its forthcoming national convention.
Lamido, through his counsel Jeph Njikonye, SAN, had filed an ex-parte motion requesting the court to issue an interim order restraining the PDP from proceeding with the convention scheduled for November 15 and 16 in Ibadan, Oyo State—or at any other venue—pending the determination of a substantive suit.
However, Justice Peter Lifu, in a ruling delivered on Friday, refused to grant the request. Instead, the judge directed the PDP and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)—listed as first and second defendants—to appear before the court and explain why the former governor’s prayers should not be granted.
Justice Lifu ordered both parties to respond within 72 hours of receiving the order and adjourned the case to November 6 for hearing.
According to court filings obtained by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the case is marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2299/2025. In the suit, Lamido is asking the court to preserve the subject matter of litigation, arguing that once a matter is before a court, all parties are obliged to maintain the status quo to prevent rendering the case nugatory.
Lamido maintained that if the PDP proceeds with the convention, it would violate its own constitution and effectively deny him the chance to contest for the position of National Chairman, a post he insists he is “eminently qualified” to seek.
He further contended that “the plaintiff/applicant has established a prima facie legal interest in the subject matter of litigation entitling him to the grant of the interim preservative relief sought.”
The former governor also argued that the balance of convenience weighed in his favour and that the injunction was necessary to prevent irreparable harm.
During Friday’s proceedings, Justice Lifu noted that he had carefully reviewed the application, supporting affidavits, exhibits, and written addresses.
“The court has carefully perused and painstakingly considered the motion ex-parte, the affidavits, exhibits and the written address, including the decided cases commended to the court by learned senior advocate,” the judge stated.
He added that the issues raised in the suit were “triable”, and that the court must exercise discretion “judicially and judiciously” in line with Order 26 Rule 8(c) of the Federal High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules, 2019.
“Consequently, considering the entire gamut of the entire suit, it is my considered view that Order 26 rule 8(c) of the 2019 Rules of this court be invoked to enable this court balance the scale and equities of the parties,” Justice Lifu ruled.
He concluded by directing the defendants to show cause within 72 hours why Lamido’s prayers should not be granted, before adjourning the matter to November 6 for further proceedings.
Source: NationalAccordNewspaper | Read the Full Story…
