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A Federal High Court in Abuja has once more stopped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from holding its planned national convention in Ibadan, Oyo State, scheduled for November 15 and 16.
The court also barred the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from supervising, monitoring, or recognising any outcome from the proposed convention, where national officers were expected to be elected.
Justice Peter Lifu issued the restraining order on Tuesday while ruling on an application filed by former Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido.
Lamido had sued the party, claiming he was unjustly denied the opportunity to purchase the nomination form for the national chairmanship position, effectively excluding him from the exercise.
Justice Lifu said the order became necessary because the PDP failed to comply with the legal requirements governing the conduct of such conventions.
He noted that evidence before the court indicated the party did not publish the timetable for the exercise as required by law, amounting to a 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.