The crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has taken a fresh turn as a former Governor of Jigawa State and one of the party’s founding members, Alhaji Sule Lamido, has dragged the party to court to stop its planned national convention.
The convention, scheduled to hold in Ibadan, Oyo State, between November 15 and 16, is expected to produce new national officers to lead the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.
However, Lamido, who also served as Minister of Foreign Affairs under former President Olusegun Obasanjo, is challenging the legality of the convention’s preparations, claiming that the process violates the PDP’s constitution and internal democracy principles.
In a suit filed before the Federal High Court in Abuja, marked FHC/ABJ/CD/2229/2025, and filed on his behalf by Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Jephthah Chikodi Njikonye, Lamido is asking the court to halt the convention.
He is also seeking an order restraining the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from supervising or monitoring the event so as not to give it any legal recognition until the issues he raised are resolved.
Lamido’s main complaint is that the PDP leadership unlawfully denied him a nomination form to contest for the position of National Chairman. He alleged that the process of preparing for the convention has been manipulated to exclude certain members and to favour selected aspirants.
According to him, this action goes against the party’s constitution, which guarantees equal opportunity for all qualified members to seek elective positions within the party.
In his motion, Lamido accused the PDP of breaching its internal rules and acting in ways that undermine fairness, transparency, and democracy within the party.
He prayed the court to issue an injunction compelling the PDP to make the nomination form for the office of the National Chairman available to him, saying that denying him the form is an attempt to silence founding members and hijack the party structure.
The former governor also urged the court to bar INEC from monitoring or recognizing any convention organized by the PDP until he and other aggrieved members are given fair access to contest in accordance with the party’s guidelines.
“The planned convention, as currently arranged, is illegal and unconstitutional because it does not provide equal opportunities to all eligible members,” Lamido argued in his suit.
The PDP, Nigeria’s main opposition party, has been grappling with internal divisions since its loss in the 2023 presidential election. Several key members have expressed dissatisfaction with the way the party is being managed, accusing the leadership of sidelining loyal members and breaching the principles of equity and inclusion.
Lamido’s legal move adds to the growing tension within the party as it prepares for the Ibadan convention, which is meant to reset its leadership structure. The convention is expected to fill several national positions, including the offices of National Chairman, Deputy National Chairman, National Secretary, and other key roles in the National Working Committee (NWC).
Some party insiders, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Lamido’s decision to go to court reflects a deeper frustration among members who feel that the party has drifted from its founding ideals of fairness and internal democracy.
The suit against the PDP comes at a time when the party is already struggling to unite its members across the country. The case may further delay or disrupt preparations for the Ibadan convention, depending on how the court rules.
Although the PDP leadership has not yet issued an official response, sources within the party say efforts are underway to reach out to Lamido and other aggrieved members to avoid another major split.
INEC, which is listed as a defendant in the case, is also expected to respond to the suit since its presence and supervision are essential for the legality of any political party convention.
If the court grants Lamido’s request, the PDP would be forced to suspend its convention until his complaints are addressed — a development that could worsen internal divisions.
Party elders and stakeholders are reportedly urging calm and calling for internal reconciliation to prevent another crisis that could damage the party’s chances in future elections.
Lamido, one of the founding fathers of the PDP, has long been vocal about the need for reforms within the party. He has consistently argued that the PDP must return to its core values of fairness, equity, and respect for due process if it wants to regain public trust.
With just two weeks to the scheduled convention, all eyes are now on the Federal High Court in Abuja, which will determine whether the PDP can proceed with its Ibadan gathering or must go back to the drawing board.
