- Court to rule in Lamido suit Tue
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) state chairmen yesterday pledged their loyalty to the embattled National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Damagum.
The chairmen under the aegis of the Forum of PDP State Chairmen dissociated themselves from the factional Acting National Chairman, Abdulrahaman Mohammed, describing him as an interloper.
The chairmen, who vowed not to abandon Damagun, urged delegates from the state chapters to prepare for the National Convention scheduled for Ibadan, Oyo State capital, on November 15 and 16.
The proposed convention is still a bone of contention in the court. While Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja ruled that the convention should not hold, an Ibadan High Court presided over by Justice Ladiran Akintola gave an ex parte order granting leave to the party to proceed with the preparations.
The motion on notice comes up for hearing on Monday.
Also yesterday, a Federal High Court in Abuja presided over by Justice Peter Lifu reserved ruling till Tuesday on a motion by former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido, seeking to restrain the main opposition party from holding the convention.
The former governor had gone to court to seek a relief prohibiting the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) from excluding him from the chairmanship contest.
Lamido, one of the PDP founding fathers, claimed that he was denied the nomination form at the PDP national secretariat in Abuja.
State chairmen applaud Ibadan court judgment
The state chairmen, in a communique signed by the Forum Chairman and Chairman of the Edo State chapter, Tony Aziegbemi, and Secretary, Edward Masha, reaffirmed their unwavering commitment to the unity, progress, and electoral success of the party.
They also pledged to work closely with the national leadership to strengthen internal democracy and rebuild public confidence in the PDP.
The communique reads: “The Forum unequivocally reaffirms its total support, confidence, and loyalty to the National Chairman of our great Party, Ambassador Umar Damagun, and the entire National Working Committee (NWC).
‘The Forum applauds the courageous and well-considered judgment delivered by Hon. Justice Akintola, which has paved the way for the conduct of the forthcoming National Elective Convention scheduled for November 15-16, 2025, in Ibadan, Oyo State.
“The Forum urges all delegates, as duly recognized and provided for in the PDP Constitution (2017 as amended), to begin preparations in earnest to participate in the convention and to elect credible, competent, and loyal men and women into the National Working Committee.
“The Forum commends the effective and collaborative leadership being provided by the National Working Committee under Ambassador Umar Damagun, the PDP Governors’ Forum under His Excellency Senator Bala Mohammed, and the Board of Trustees (BOT) under His Excellency Senator Adolphus Wabara.
“The Forum notes that this synergy has contributed immensely to stabilizing and repositioning the Party.”
Court to rule on Lamido’s suit November 11
Justice Lifu chose Tuesday for ruling in the Lamido’s suit after his counsel and lawyers to the defendants made their final submissions both in favour and against the motion.
The court had, in a ruling on October 31 declined to grant a motion ex-parte filed by Lamido for an interim order stopping the convention, pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice filed with it.
Instead, the court ordered that the defendants be put on notice for them to appear and show cause why the interim injunction sought by Lamido should not be granted.
Listed as defendants in the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/2299/2025. are the PDP and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
At the resumption of proceedings Lamido’s lawyer, Jeph Njikonye (SAN), recalled that the court had ordered the defendants to show cause why his client’s request should not be granted.
The PDP’s lawyer, Omokayode Dada (SAN) and that of INEC, Adamu Bello, said they complied with the court order by separate affidavits as required, which they served on the plaintiff.
Dada faulted Lamido’s claim that he was denied the opportunity to purchase the nomination form.
He queried the court’s jurisdiction to hear the case, saying that it is an internal affair of the party.
Dada urged the court to dismiss the suit.
In its affidavit, the PDP stated that the days fixed by the National Working Committee (NWC) for the purchase of nomination forms by aspirants for national elective positions in the convention expired before October 27 when Lamido visited the party’s national headquarters.
It said the national leadership had earlier approved the timetable and schedule of activity for the 2025 convention.
The party said the timetable and schedule of activities were between September 3 and 30, adding that all members are bound by its constitution, guidelines, notices and its decisions.
The PDP denied violating any of the provisions of the constitution,guidelines and the rights of any aspirant.
INEC, in the affidavit, said that a court of record should not dabble into a political question, which remains the exclusive preserve of political parties.
Njikonye urged the court to refuse the defendants’ prayer for the rejection of his client’s request.
He argued that INEC, which ought to be unbiased, could not be seen crying more than the bereaved.
The plaintiff’s lawyer added: “The second defendant (INEC) should be independent. It should be an umpire in conduct,” adding that commission could not afford to act like a political party.
He said it was within the powers of the court to make the proper orders in the case.
Earlier, the court granted the request by three PDP officers to be made parties in the case.
The party officers are Austine Nwachukwu (Imo PDP Chairman); Amah Abraham Nnanna (Abia PDP Chairman) and Turnah George (PDP Secretary, Southsouth geo-political zone).
Justice Lifu granted an order joining the three after their lawyer, Joseph Daudu (SAN) moved a motion to that effect.
