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The Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday, fixed November 11 for ruling on an application filed by former Governor Sule Lamido of Jigawa, seeking to restrain the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, from holding its National Convention.
Justice Peter Lifu fixed the date for ruling after the defence lawyers adopted their affidavits to show cause why the interim order should not be granted and the plaintiff’s counsel adopted his counter affidavit and argued his case.
Lamido, in the motion ex-parte moved by his lawyer, Jeph Njikonye, SAN, on October 31, had prayed the court to make the interim order, pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice filed alongside.
The ex-governor said if the PDP was 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.
Justice Lifu, had in a ruling, declined to grant the motion marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/2299/2025.
The judge, rather, ordered the PDP and the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, that are 1st and 2nd 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 72 hours from the date they were served to respond, adjourned the matter until Nov. 6 for hearing.
At the resumed hearing, Njikonye, who appeared for Lamido, recalled that on Oct. 31, the court ordered PDP and INEC to show cause why their application should not be granted.
Omokayode Dada, SAN, who represented PDP and Adamu Bello, who appeared for INEC told the judge that their separate affidavits to show cause had been filed and served to parties.
Joseph Daudu, SAN, however, announced appearance for parties seeking to be joined in the suit.
The parties seeking to be joined are Hon Austine Nwachukwu, Imo PDP Chairman; Hon Amah Abraham Nnanna, Abia PDP Chairman and Hon Turnah George, who was said to be PDP Secretary, South-South Geo-Political Zone.
PDP Convention: Court fixes November 11 to hear Sule Lamido’s prayer
