The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will abstain from monitoring this weekend’s Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) national convention in Ibadan. Senior officials confirmed this decision stems from a subsisting Federal Capital Territory High Court order.
“INEC will not monitor the PDP convention,” stated a commission official involved in party event oversight. Another anonymous source emphasized INEC’s compliance stance: “We are law-abiding. We will obey the FCT High Court.” The commission reportedly drafted then withdrew a statement clarifying its position after internal review.
Justice Peter Lifu of the Abuja Federal High Court had earlier ordered the convention’s suspension. This ruling came from a lawsuit filed by former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido. Lamido challenged his exclusion from the national chairmanship race despite payment for nomination forms.
The court determined Lamido’s exclusion violated PDP regulations. Justice Lifu consequently restrained INEC from supervising any convention excluding Lamido as a contestant. The judge mandated the PDP must provide nomination forms to Lamido before proceeding with any convention.
Conflicting Court Judgments
This FCT ruling conflicts with an earlier Oyo State High Court decision. On November 3, Justice Ladiran Akintola approved the convention’s continuation via an ex parte application. That judgment specifically directed INEC to attend and monitor the election of new national officers.
Despite the Oyo court’s authorization, INEC has chosen compliance with the FCT directive. The commission maintains its position that the law and judicial pronouncements will guide its actions regarding the controversial political event.
About the Author
