Former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido, a founding member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has initiated legal action against his party. The lawsuit filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja seeks to halt the PDP’s national convention scheduled for November 15-16 in Ibadan, Oyo State.
Through his counsel Jephthah Chikodi Njikonye SAN, Lamido requested the court restrain both the PDP and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from proceeding with the convention. The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CD/2229/2025, follows Lamido’s claim that he was unlawfully denied access to nomination forms for the national chairman position.
Lamido contends the PDP violated its constitution by failing to provide equal opportunities for qualified aspirants. He stated in court documents: “The party failed to create equal opportunities for qualified aspirants, including myself, to contest for elective offices.” This exclusion of stakeholders allegedly breached internal guidelines governing party elections.
The former governor argues this denial constitutes a breach of natural justice. He seeks a mandatory injunction compelling the PDP to issue him nomination forms before any convention occurs. Lamido also urged the court to prevent INEC from supervising or recognizing a convention conducted without his participation.
His affidavit warned that INEC involvement would confer “illegal legitimacy” on an unconstitutional process. The legal action has introduced uncertainty around the PDP’s planned leadership transition as the convention date approaches.
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