A Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday failed to deliver its judgment earlier scheduled for November 13 in the suit filed by former Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido, against the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Lamido is seeking an order restraining the PDP from proceeding with its planned national convention slated for November 15 and 16 in Ibadan, Oyo State.
Justice Peter Lifu had, on November 11, after taking final arguments from counsel to both parties, adjourned the case for judgment.
However, when parties arrived in court on Thursday, an official announced that the judgment was not ready and that parties would be notified once it is delivered.
The development means that the interim orders earlier granted by Justice Lifu—restraining the PDP and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from conducting or monitoring the convention—remain in effect pending determination of the substantive suit.
In his November 11 ruling, Justice Lifu held that the injunction was necessary to preserve the subject matter of the case, noting that Lamido had provided sufficient evidence showing that the PDP’s timetable for the convention was not duly published as required by law.
The judge added that the former governor, who seeks to contest for the position of PDP National Chairman, could suffer irreparable harm if the convention were allowed to proceed before the court’s final decision.
