The Federal High Court in Abuja has postponed its judgment in the lawsuit filed by former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido. Lamido challenged his exclusion from contesting the national chairmanship position of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Justice Peter Lifu, scheduled to deliver the verdict on Thursday, did not appear in court. The court registrar informed legal representatives and parties, including Lamido personally, that the judgment remained “not ready.” A new date will be communicated later.
This delay follows Justice Lifu’s earlier ruling that temporarily halted the PDP’s national convention. The court had issued this injunction pending resolution of Lamido’s substantive suit.
In Tuesday’s ruling, Justice Lifu also barred the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from monitoring or recognizing outcomes of the planned convention. The judge deemed Lamido’s application meritorious.
Justice Lifu emphasized that the PDP failed to publish the convention timetable as legally required. He stated the balance of convenience favored Lamido, noting the former governor would suffer irreparable harm if unlawfully excluded.
During Tuesday’s proceedings, senior advocates representing Lamido, the PDP, joined parties, and INEC presented final arguments. All counsel adopted their written addresses before Justice Lifu set November 13 for the judgment that ultimately stalled.
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