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Tag: PDP

  • Court orders PDP to shelve convention until Lamido is accommodated as chairmanship aspirant

    Court orders PDP to shelve convention until Lamido is accommodated as chairmanship aspirant

     

    The Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday, ordered the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) not to go ahead with its national convention until a chairmanship nomination form is made available to ex-Gov. Sule Lamido of Jigawa.

    Justice Peter Lifu, in a judgment, held that the PDP, by its conduct, had breached its own party’s guidelines and constitution.

    According to Justice Lifu, a party is bound to obey its own constitution.

    He said the essence of this is to avoid illegality.

    The judge observed that by Lamido’s averment before the court, the former governor said he was at the party’s national secretariat on Oct. 27 to purchase the nomination form but was denied, even when the form would be closing 14 days to the national convention.

    He also observed that from the exhibit tendered, the party’s consensus candidate was said to have stated that “…how we got the form is immaterial..” as long as the timetable for the nomination form had closed.

    The judge held that from the tone of such statement, it showed that how the chairmanship nomination form was purchased was irregular and not transparent.

    The judge therefore ordered the PDP to create opportunities for its members, including the plaintiff, to contest during the convention.

    Justiceifu, who ordered that the national convention scheduled for Nov. 15 and Nov. 16 be put on hold until Lamido is allowed to exercise his constitutional right, also barred INEC from monitoring, supervising or recognising the outcome of the convention until the party does the needful.

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    Details later

  • National convention: Judgment in Sule Lamido’s suit against PDP stalled

    National convention: Judgment in Sule Lamido’s suit against PDP stalled

     

    Judgment in the suit filed by former Gov. Sule Lamido of Jigawa, was, on Thursday, stalled at the Federal High Court in Abuja.

    Lamido is challenging his exclusion from contesting the chairmanship position in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)’s national convention.

    The judgment, which was fixed for today by Justice Peter Lifu, could not be delivered.

    The court registrar announced to lawyers and litigants, including the ex-governor, who were in court that the judgment was not ready and that parties would be communicated on the next adjourned date.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Justice Lifu had, on Tuesday, fixed today for the judgment.

    The judge fixed the date after counsel for Lamido, Jeph Njikonye, SAN; lawyer to PDP, Omokayode Dada, SAN; Joseph Daudu, SAN, who appeared for parties that were joined in the suit, and INEC lawyer adopted their processes and presented their arguments for and against the suit.

    Justic Lifu had, earlier on Tuesday, restrained the PDP from going ahead with its scheduled national convention pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit filed by Lamido.

    The judge, in a ruling, also restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from monitoring, supervising or recognising the outcome of the convention, pending the hearing and determination of the suit before him.

    Justice Lifu held that the motion ex-parte filed by the applicant, Lamido, was meritorious and accordingly succeeded.

    The judge held that evidence from Lamido showed that the timetable for the convention was not published for the attention of its members as required by law.

    Justice lifu also held that the balance of convenience tilted towards Lamido because he would suffer more if allowed to be unlawfully excluded from the planned convention, hence, it was necessary to grant the preservative order.

    The judge then stood down the matter for some hours to allow parties regularise their processes.

    When the case was recalled, parties adopted their processes and presented their arguments in the matter and the judge fixed Nov. 13 for judgment.

  • PDP convention: Conflicting judgments, orders not judicial failure, says NJI

    PDP convention: Conflicting judgments, orders not judicial failure, says NJI

     

     

    The National Judicial Institute (NJI) says conflicting judgments and orders which sometimes arise from courts of coordinate jurisdiction are not signs of judicial failure.

     

    The NJI’s Administrator, Justice Babatunde Adejumo, stated this on Thursday in Abuja at the pre-conference media briefing of the 2025 All Nigerian Judges’ Conference.

     

    Adejumo, while responding to the recent conflicting orders handed down by courts in Abuja and Ibadan ahead of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)’s national convention, said these are inherent part of the justice system that contribute to the evolution and clarification of the law.

     

    He explained that differences in judgments or orders arise from judges’ interpretations of facts and evidence placed before them by parties.

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    Adejumo, who was also former President of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN), said such interpretations would also depend on the peculiarities of the cases and the judges’ understanding of the law.

     

    “Judges give judgments based on the facts presented before them and the evidence proved.

     

    “Even in the United States, which has one of the oldest and most sophisticated judicial systems, state’s courts often give different opinions on similar issues,” he said.

     

    He explained that such differences are natural and are resolved through the hierarchy of courts; from the High Courts, the Court of Appeal to the Supreme Court.

     

    “If two or three courts give conflicting decisions on the same subject matter, the appellate courts exist to resolve them.

     

    “Whatever the Supreme Court decides becomes final and binding,” he stated.

     

    The administrator, however, said that while lower courts are not bound by decisions of courts of coordinate jurisdiction, it would amount to “judicial rascality” for a lower court to contradict a judgment of a higher court.

     

    “Once the Supreme Court has spoken, no division of the Court of Appeal or lower court should issue a contrary decision, except for clarifying ambiguities in interpretation,” he added.

     

    Adejumo, therefore, said that there was the need for reforms in court procedures to minimise conflicting rulings.

     

    According to him, litigants should be required to swear to an affidavit affirming that the same matter brought has not been presented before any other court.

     

    He said such rules, if breached, would amount to perjury.

     

    Reflecting on his 30-year career on the bench, Justice Adejumo recounted his experience as a former President of the NICN, noting the institutional evolution that elevated the court to a superior status in Nigeria’s judicial hierarchy.

     

    “When I assumed office in 2003, the National Industrial Court had only two divisions in Lagos and Abuja, and just 123 staff members.

     

    “Through sustained advocacy, we secured the enactment of the National Industrial Court Act, 2006 and later championed a constitutional amendment that established the court as a superior court of record,” he recalled.

     

    He said the amendment, achieved after extensive consultation with the National Assembly and the endorsement of 33 state assemblies, made the NICN the fourth highest court in Nigeria’s judicial hierarchy.

     

    He said the development also granted its president full membership in the National Judicial Council and Federal Judicial Service Commission.

     

    He described NJI as “the heartbeat of the Nigerian Judiciary” and a forum where judges engage with the public, legal professionals and journalists to assess and improve judicial performance.

     

    He, therefore, reaffirmed his commitment to strengthening judicial education through the institute.

     

    Adejumo also used the occasion to correct misconceptions about the judicial process, stressing that judges do not engage in “voyages of discovery” to secure convictions.

     

    “A judge does not manufacture evidence. In criminal cases, guilt must be proven beyond reasonable doubt.

     

    “Any element of doubt must be resolved in favour of the accused,” he explained.

     

    He further emphasised that judgments are based strictly on facts, evidence, witnesses, the law and precedents.

     

    “It is better for one hundred guilty persons to go free than for one innocent person to be wrongly convicted,” the administrator said

     

    He expressed optimism that the upcoming 2025 All Nigerian Judges’ Conference would further deepen judicial understanding, enhance professional standards and strengthen public confidence in the nation’s justice system.

  • Group urges acting PDP Chairman to restore party’s glory

    Group urges acting PDP Chairman to restore party’s glory

     

     

    A coalition of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) youth support groups in Northwest states on Thursday appealed to the factional acting National Chairman, Mr Muhammad Abdulkadir, to use his experience on restoring the party’s glory at all levels.

    The Coalition Chairman, Dr Haruna Gumel, made the call in a press conference on behalf of others on Thursday in Sokoto.

    While we expressed loyalty to the acting chairman who is the party Vice Chairman Central, the coalition enjoined him to deploy his vast experience and ensure justice is done to everyone and work for the return of the party’s lost glory.

    ” The Coalition in strong voice, pledged their loyalty to the Acting National Chairman of the party, identified with the decision of some members of National working committee for taken a bold step by suspending the National Chairman and five others for not doing what is expected from them.

    ” It’s on record that PDP has been thrown into leadership crisis for the past few weeks which resulted to suspension of our scheduled National elective convention.

    ” The coalition of Northwestern states of PDP support groups had unanimously welcome the Judgement of the Federal h
    High Court which halts the National convention of our great party the PDP, ” the chairman said.

    Gumel added that the judgement has again prove that things are wrong and need to be address for us to succeed as a political party.

    He alleged that the crisis that resulted to the court cases were intentionally created for reason best known to a bigwig and his bootlickers.

    ” To this end, the coalition commended the National Secretary, Sen. Samuel Anyanwu and the National Organizing Secretary, Mr Umar Bature for saving our party from public disgrace.

    ” We urge them not to listen to enemies of progress working to bring down the party to it kneels.

    ” The coalition of PDP support groups are in support of the resolution reached at the end of the NWC meeting which held on Nov. 1, where Amb. Damagun, PDP spokesperson and three others were suspended, ” Gumel added.

    He urged the acting National chairman to work towards settling all disagreements in order to avoid throwing the party into litigations and summon NEC meeting to address issues arisen from the recent court Judgement that halted the National convention.

  • Court sacks Zamfara Rep for defecting from PDP to APC

    Court sacks Zamfara Rep for defecting from PDP to APC

     

    The Federal High Court in Abuja has sacked Rep Abubakar Gummi, for defecting from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Gummi, represents Gummi/Bukkuyum Federal Constituency of Zamfara in the House of Representatives,

    Justice Obiora Egwuatu, in a judgment, restrained the Speaker, House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, from further recognising Gummi as member representing Gummi/ Bukkuyum Federal Constituency.

    Justice Egwuatu also made an order directing the Independent National Electoral Commission. (iNEC) to conduct fresh election to fill the vacancy fot the constituency within 30 days from the day of the judgment.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that though the judgement was delivered on Thursday, the certified true copy was sighted on Friday.

    The suit, marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/1803/2024, was filed by the PDP and its state’s Chairman, Jamilu Jibomagayaki, as 1st and 2nd plaintiffs.

    The duo, in the originating summons dated Nov. 28 but filed Nov. 29, 2024, by Ibrahim Bawa, SAN, had sued Hon Abubakar Suleiman Gummi; Speaker of the House of Representatives and INEC as 1st to 3rd defendants respectively.

    The plaintiffs had set out four questions for determination and sought nine reliefs for determination.

    They asked whether having regard to the provision of Section 68 (1) (9) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), it was not unconstitutional for Gummies to retain his seat as member in the house.

    They said he defected from PDP which sponsored him for the election to Gummi/Bukkuyum Federal Constituency to APC, when there was no division in the party, among other questions.

    One of the reliefs sought was a declaration that it was unconstitutional for the speaker to refuse/fail to declare Gummi’s seat vacant.

    Gummi, in his response through his lawyer, filed a notice of preliminary objection and a counter affidavit.

    The lawmaker, in his argument, argued that his decampment was due to the crisis within the PD..

    He said contrary to the deposition of the plaintiffs, the lingering unresolved internal and external crisis both at the national level and in his constituency is the reason for his defection from the party to APC.

    Gummi said the crisis resulted into a state where he could no longer represent his constituents properly and ensure that they all benefit from shared distribution of the dividends of democracy within the bounds of law, and without undue interference from anyone or anything.

    Delivering the judgment , Justice Egwuatu granted all the plaintiffs’ reliefs.

    The judge condemned the attitude of some politicians who see defection as a normal culture.

    “Before I take my fingers off the key board, let me just add, that politicians should respect the wishes of the electorates that elected them into office.

    “A situation where the electorates have made their choices between different political parties and their candidates based on the manifestos and marketability of such a political party, it is legally and morally wrong for such a politician to abandon the party under which platform he or she was elected into office and move to a rival party without relinquishing the mandate of his or her former party.

    “If a person must decamp, don’t decamp with the mandate of the electorates.

    “Don’t transfer the votes garnered on the platform of one party to another party.

    “A politician has no such rights to transfer votes of a political party to another political party.

    “The law must punish such moves by taking away the benefits bestowed upon the decampee politician by the electorates.

    “And that is what Section 68 (1) (g) of the Constitution has done.

    “Political prostitution must not be rewarded.

    “In total, I resolve all the issues in favour of the plaintiffs and against the defendants,” Justice Egwuatu said.

    The judge, therefore, ordered that Gummi , having defected from PDP to APC “before the expiration of the period the house was elected, automatically loses his seat as member of the House of Representatives.

    He made an order restraining Gummi from further receiving monies as salaries, allowances or howsoever called in his capacity as member representing the constituency.

    He also made an order directing the lawmaker to refund to the Federal Government all monies collected as salaries, allowances or howsoever called as member representing the constituency from Oct. 30, 2024 to the date of judgment.

    “An order is made directing that the evidence of the refund of all monies collected as salaries, allowances or howsoever called be filed in the registry of this court within 30 days of the judgment of this court,” he said.

    Justice Egwuatu consequently awarded a fine of N500, 000 in favour of the plaintiffs and against the defendants.

  • UPDATE: Chairmanship tussle: Court rejects Sule Lamido’s request seeking to stop PDP convention

     

     

    The Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday, refused to grant an application filed by former Gov. Sule Lamido of Jigawa, seeking an order restraining the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from proceeding with its scheduled national convention.

    Lamido, in the motion ex-parte moved by his lawyer, Jeph Njikonye, SAN, had prayed the court to make the interim order, pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice filed alongside.

    Justice Peter Lifu, in a ruling, rather ordered the PDP and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) that are defendants in the suit to come and show cause why the ex-governor’s reliefs should not be granted.

    Justice Lifu, who gave the defendants within 72 hours from the date they were served to respond, adjourned the matter until Nov. 6 for hearing.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Lamido, who is the plaintiff in the fresh suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/2299/2025, named the PDP and INEC as 1st and 2nd defendants.

    In the ex-parte motion dated and filed on Oct. 28 by his team of lawyers led by Njikonye, Lamido sought two orders;

    “An interim order of the honourable court restraining the 1st defendant from conducting its national convention scheduled to hold in Ibadan, Oyo State (or any other place or state) Nov. 15 and Nov. 16 or any other date(s) .

    “An interim order of court restraining the 2nd defendant (INEC) from monitoring, supervising and recognising the 1st defendant’s national convention”.

    Giving seven grounds why his application should be considered, Lamido averred that once an action is pending in court. parties are bound to maintain status quo to avoid subjecting the court or the plaintiff to a fait accompli.

    The ex-governor said the court has an inherent jurisdiction to preserve the subject matter of litigation.

    He said if the PDP is not restrained by the court, the party would be violating its constitution, and by implication denying him the opportunity to contest for the position of the national chairman of the party of which he is eminently qualified to contest.

    “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,” he said.

    Lamido said where an action sought to be restrained had already been completed, the equitable remedy of interim injunction may no longer be available to him, “hence why this application is necessary at this stage.”

    According to him, the plaintiff’s suit raises a serious triable issue.

    He also averred that balance of convenience is in favour of the grant of the interim preservative reliefs sought.

    The matter, which was the only one on Friday’s cause list, was heard in the judge’s chamber.

    After Njikonye moves the motion, the judge said it would be necessary to hear from the parties.

    “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.

    “I have equally advised myself on the issues raised in the originating summons which of cause raises triable issues,” he said.

    Justice Lifu said that the court was not also unmindful of the balance of convenience and the undertaking as to damages as held in the three cases cited.

    “I have also averted my mind to Order 26 Rules, 8(c) of the Rules of this court and the need fo exercise my discretion judicially and judiciously.

    “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.

    “In that wise, the respondents in this suit are herein ordered to show cause within the next 72 hours effective from the date and time of service of this order on them why the prayers of the applicant should not be so granted,” the judge ruled.

    He adjourned the matter until Nov. 6 for further proceedings.

  • Court restrains INEC from monitoring, recognising PDP planned national

    Court restrains INEC from monitoring, recognising PDP planned national

     

     

    The Federal High Court in Abuja, on Friday, restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising the outcome of the forthcoming peoples Democratic Party (PDP)’s national convention.

    Justice James Omotosho, in a judgment, held that the PDP failed to comply with relevant conditions and laws for the conduct of the convention.

    Justice Omotosho, who challenged the legality of the convention, held that evidence from the electoral umpire and some of the respondents showed that congresses were not held in some states of the federation in breach of the law.

    The judge equally held that the signing of notices and correspondence of the PDP by its national chairman without the national secretary, violated the law and consequently made such notices and correspondences a nullity.

    Besides, he held that the PDP failed to issue the mandatory 21 days notice of meetings and congresses to enable INEC carry out its mandatory duty of monitoring such meetings and congresses.

    Justice Omotosho held that the failure of the PDP to comply with the law had put the planned convention in jeopardy, and subsequently advised the PDP to do the needful before going ahead with the election.

    The judge, therefore, restrained INEC from monitoring, receiving, publishing or recognising the outcome of the convention slated for Nov. 15 and Nov. 16 in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, until the law had been complied with.

     

    Details later

  • PDP BoT Chair. Wabara Clarifies Allegation of Forgery by Sen . Anyanwu 

    PDP BoT Chair. Wabara Clarifies Allegation of Forgery by Sen . Anyanwu 

     

     

    Abuja:  The Chairman, Board of Trustees (BoT)

    Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Sen. Adolphus Wabara, has clarified allegations by the National Secretary of the party, Senator Samuel Anyanwu that his signature was forged.

    Senator Wabara gave the clarification in a statement on Thursday in Abuja. The statement is reproduced verbatim below:

     

    FROM THE OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN, BOARD OF TRUSTEES (BoT), PEOPLES DEMOCRATIC PARTY (PDP)

    Date: Thursday, October 23, 2025
    RE: ALLEGATION OF FORGERY BY SENATOR SAMUEL ANYANWU – A CLARIFICATION OF FACTS

    The attention of the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been drawn to recent public statements by the National Secretary of the Party, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, alleging that his signature was forged on the correspondence transmitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) regarding the forthcoming 2025 Elective National Convention of our great Party.

    While the BoT would have preferred to refrain from engaging in matters of internal administrative procedure in the public domain, the gravity of this allegation and its capacity to mislead party members and the general public, necessitate a clear and factual clarification.

    It is on record that the said INEC notification letter was jointly signed by the National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Iliya Damagum and Senator Samuel Anyanwu, the National Secretary, on the 25th of August, 2025, during the 102nd meeting of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the PDP.

    The signing took place in the presence of critical organs and stakeholders of the Party, including members of the PDP Governors’ Forum, the Board of Trustees, and other NEC members who witnessed the process.

    Subsequent to this, Senator Anyanwu was formally inaugurated as the Secretary of the Contact and Mobilization Sub-Committee for the 2025 National Convention. In that capacity, he co-signed official communications of the sub-committee, including letters of appointment issued to its members, alongside the Sub-Committee Chairman, His Excellency Senator Douye Diri, Governor of Bayelsa State.

    Furthermore, Senator Anyanwu, in his capacity as Sub-Committee Secretary, personally signed and transmitted a letter seeking financial approval for the inaugural meeting of the sub-committee. These verifiable correspondences, bearing his signature, are in the custody of the Party and relevant Convention Committees.

    In view of these incontrovertible facts, the BoT finds Senator Anyanwu’s claim of forgery to be baseless, misleading, and to say the least, reprehensible being inconsistent with the documented record of events. Such allegations, regrettably, can only be interpreted as a deliberate attempt to cast aspersions on the integrity of the Party’s leadership and processes, and to misinform security agencies and the general public.

    The Board of Trustees reaffirms that the Peoples Democratic Party remains cohesive, resolute, and unwavering in its commitment to democratic values, transparency, and internal harmony.

    The forthcoming PDP 2025 Elective National Convention scheduled to hold on Saturday 15th to Sunday 16th November, 2025 in Ibadan, the Oyo State Capital shall by every measure, be a credible and unifying exercise reflective of the PDP’s long-standing tradition of internal democracy.

    The BoT therefore calls on all members, stakeholders, and supporters of the Party to disregard the unfounded claims by Senator Anyanwu and remain steadfast in their support for the leadership of our great Party as it continues to chart a course for Nigeria’s democratic renewal on the platform of the PDP.

    Signed:

    H.E Sen. Adolphus Wabara, Ph.D
    Chairman, Board of Trustees (BoT)
    Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)

  • Osun PDP Warns APC: Don’t Drag Osun Into Your Internal War

    Osun PDP Warns APC: Don’t Drag Osun Into Your Internal War

    (Gov. Ademola Adeleke of Osun State)

     

    • Calls on President Tinubu to Rein in Osun APC Over Growing Violence and Reckless Threats

     

     

    By

     

    Osogbo:  The ruling Peoples Democratic Party in Osun State has issued a strong warning over the growing trend of threats, violent confrontations, and reckless utterances among members of the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of their planned primary election, which understandably, is strange to their political DNA.

    The PDP expressed deep concern that the in-fighting within the APC is fast degenerating into physical attacks and public unrest, describing it as a dangerous development capable of undermining the peace and calm currently enjoyed by the people of Osun State.

    In a statement signed by the State Chairman, Hon. Sunday Bisi, the PDP said the situation in the Osun APC has clearly shown a total breakdown of leadership and internal discipline within the party.

    According to him, “What is happening within the Osun APC today is not about democracy or service; it is a battle of desperation among politicians who have lost every sense of restraint and responsibility. Their public conduct has become a direct threat to the peace and stability of our dear state.”

    Hon. Bisi noted that the state government had long warned that the opposition APC could become a source of crisis if left unchecked, stressing that recent developments have unfortunately confirmed this fear. “What we are seeing now are open threats, violent outbursts, and physical attacks, not politics.

    Before they turn Osun into a battlefield over internal ambitions, we call on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as the national leader of the APC, to urgently call his Osun chapter to order. The President must not allow the conduct of his party men in Osun to embarrass his government or destabilize a peaceful state,” he said.

    The PDP chairman condemned the recent wave of violent incidents among APC members, citing public scenes in Ilesa where supporters of rival aspirants openly issued threats, and reports of assaults on innocent residents during a supposed local consultation in Apomu.

    “These are not isolated incidents; they point to a party that has lost control of its members. The situation is fast becoming a menace to public peace, and we will not fold our arms as custodians of peoples mandate, while innocent people are being attacked,” Hon. Bisi warned.

    He also condemned the recent public outburst by a known supporter of one of the Apc aspirants, labelling a rival aspirant as an assassin, without any sign of repremand by leadership of the Apc.

    “When those who should show leadership resort to name-calling and subtle threats through soft proxies, it shows how morally bankrupt their politics has become. Theirs is now a house in total disarray, and Osun must not be made to suffer for their thoughtless fire and crossfire,” he added.

    The PDP, therefore, called on security agencies; the Nigeria Police Force, DSS, and NSCDC, to remain vigilant and take immediate premptive measures to avert further breakdown of law and order.

    “Governor Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke has worked tirelessly to build a peaceful and inclusive Osun, and we will not allow a few loose cannons to destroy that legacy. The peace and safety of Osun people come first,”

    Reaffirming the PDP’s commitment to peace, progress, and responsible governance, Hon. Bisi appealed to Osun citizens to remain calm and law-abiding.

    “We know that Osun people value peace and unity. Governor Adeleke’s administration will continue to protect every citizen, regardless of political affiliation. But let it be clearly stated anyone who attempts to bring violence into our state in the name of headless politics will face the full weight of the law. Osun belongs to all of us, not to a handful of desperate politicians who believe power must be seized by force,” he concluded.