The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to stop its planned National Convention until the substantive suit filed by former Governor of Jigawa State, Sule Lamido, is determined.

The order was given on Tuesday in a suit by Lamido challenging his inability to get the PDP Nomination Form to contest for the National Chairmanship position despite paying for the Form.

Daily Voice reports that the court further ruled that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) should not participate in any activities relating to the convention in Ibadan or anywhere in Nigeria.

It would be recalled that Lamido had dragged the PDP before the Federal High Court in Abuja, seeking an order to halt its forthcoming national convention scheduled for November 15 and 16 in Ibadan, Oyo State.

In his suit marked FHC/ABJ/CD/2229/2025, filed by his counsel, Jephthah Chikodi Njikonye (SAN), Lamido asked the court to restrain the PDP and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from proceeding with or supervising the convention.

The former governor alleged that he was “unlawfully and illegally denied” access to the nomination form required to contest for the position of national chairman at the Ibadan convention.

According to him, the PDP’s actions violated the provisions of its constitution and internal guidelines, which guarantee equal opportunity for all eligible members to participate in internal elections.

Lamido contended that the convention’s planning process had excluded key stakeholders and failed to adhere to the party’s constitutional requirements.

He argued that the leadership’s decision to deny him a nomination form amounted to a breach of natural justice, insisting that the process should be halted until the anomaly is corrected.

The plaintiff is asking the court for a mandatory injunction compelling the PDP to issue him a nomination form for the position of national chairman before any convention can hold.

Lamido also urged the court to bar INEC from supervising, aiding, or recognizing any convention conducted without his participation, warning that doing so would give illegal legitimacy to an otherwise unconstitutional process.

Previously, Justice Peter Lifu, had refused to grant Lamido’s request for an interim order restraining the PDP and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from going ahead with the convention.

Instead, the judge directed the two defendants to appear before the court to show cause why the reliefs sought by Lamido should not be granted.

However, on Tuesday, the Court ruled in favour of Lamido after the affected parties presented their cases.

A close aide to former Kano State Governor and ex‑APC National Chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje, Umar Idris Shuaibu has warned President Bola Tinubu not to underestimate the value of his principal if he wants to win the 2027 election.

Speaking with Punch, Shuaibu insisted that Ganduje’s strategic insights, vast experience, and formidable political network make him indispensable for the ruling party’s next victory.

According to Shuaibu, during Ganduje’s tenure as APC National Chairman, he presided over a wave of defections that bolstered the party’s national strength

He said, “Ganduje is a man who understands Nigerian politics at every level. He navigates challenges with foresight and strategy, turning potential crises into opportunities for party growth and unity.

If the APC wants to win in 2027, the President can not afford to underestimate the value Ganduje brings.

“High-profile entrants into the APC under his watch included key figures from rival parties and grassroots groups whose alignment shifted the political landscape.”

“Ganduje was instrumental in persuading influential opposition members to join the APC, creating alliances that reshaped the political map in several states. These moves were not just symbolic, they translated into real electoral strength,” Shuaibu explained.

Shuaibu stressed, “Few leaders have the combination of experience, political wisdom, and strategic vision that Ganduje possesses. He knows how to read the political terrain and position the party to maximise its chances of victory.

“In Kano, nearly all major political figures have aligned with the APC under Ganduje’s influence, effectively consolidating the state’s political landscape in favour of the party.”

A former governor of Rivers State and chieftain of the opposition coalition, African Democratic Congress (ADC), Rotimi Amaechi, has urged Nigerians to participate in the next election to stop President Bola Tinubu from getting a second term.

Speaking during the fifth anniversary lecture of the First Daily newspaper held in Abuja on Monday, Amaechi stated that the fact that Tinubu was defeated in Lagos State in 2023 showed that he is not invincible.

He urged Nigerians to prepare to vote massively in 2027 to ensure that President Bola Tinubu is defeated.

In his goodwill message, Amaechi cautioned that voter apathy and complacency allow electoral malpractice to thrive.

He said, “The first solution to electoral reform is not the government. The people are the problem. The more you say they have written the results, the more you have voter apathy. Voter apathy will make President Bola Tinubu return to Villa.”

Amaechi urged citizens to take control of the process, saying, “Tell the people the power is in your hands. Come out. If Tinubu is that invincible, how was he defeated in Lagos?

“It can be repeated but first and foremost you must agree that the man there is not invincible. The problem is the opposition.”

He added that it is unrealistic to expect a government in power to undertake an electoral reform.

“The problem with election in Nigeria is that there is no incumbent government that can achieve electoral reform. None. We already tried it and failed,” he said.

Amaechi alleged that vested interests within the political class often frustrate reform efforts.

The former Minister of Transportation also blamed opposition parties for not developing viable strategies, noting that internal division and lack of focus weaken their ability to challenge the ruling elite.

“I tell the opposition parties that you’re the problem. The opposition party is not discussing how to save Nigeria. Nobody is saying oh things are bad, how do we change the candidate,” he said.