Politics
Again, Court restricts PDP from holding National Convention
A Federal High Court in Abuja has issued a fresh injunction preventing the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from holding its scheduled national convention in Ibadan, Oyo State, set for November 15–16.
The court also restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from supervising, monitoring, or recognising any outcomes from the planned convention, where national party officers were expected to be elected, Very Nigerian reports.
Justice Peter Lifu granted the restraining order on Tuesday, following an application filed by former Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido.
Lamido had sued the party, alleging that he was unjustly denied the opportunity to purchase the nomination form for the national chairmanship position, thereby excluding him from the exercise.
Justice Lifu said the order became necessary because the PDP failed to comply with the relevant legal requirements guiding the conduct of such conventions.
He noted that evidence before the court showed the party did not publish the timetable for the exercise as required by law, and therefore acted in breach of due process.
The judge further held that the balance of convenience favoured Lamido, as he would suffer greater harm if unlawfully excluded from the process.
“In a constitutional democracy, due process of law must be strictly observed by those in authority. To act otherwise is to endanger the very foundation of democracy itself,” he said.
He added that, under Section 6 of the 1999 Constitution, courts must not abdicate their responsibility of delivering justice without fear or favour.
Justice Lifu warned that anarchy could result anywhere the judiciary fails to perform its constitutional duties.
In his final ruling, the court restrained the PDP from holding the convention on November 15 and 16, or on any other date, in Ibadan or elsewhere.
It also ordered INEC not to monitor or recognise the outcome of any such gathering organised by the party.
Details later…

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