Sule Lamido denies withdrawing suit challenging exclusion from PDP chairmanship race

Sule Lamido, former governor of Jigawa, has dismissed a report alleging that he has abandoned his suit against the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and cleared the way for its planned national convention in Ibadan, the Oyo state capital.

Lamido, who refuted the claim in a statement issued on his Facebook page on Friday evening, described the publication as “false”.

The former governor said he began receiving calls from PDP members across the country after the false claim started circulating at the venue of the proposed convention in Ibadan.

“I urge members to note that the story attributed to me is false,” he said.

“The federal high court today, at about 2:30 p.m., delivered a judgement affirming my right to contest the chairmanship of the PDP, which was earlier denied me.”

He said the court also stopped the Ibadan convention billed for November 15 and 16 until the party complies with the decision.

He added that the court further restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from monitoring or taking part in the process.

“The certified order stopping the Ibadan convention has already been delivered to INEC and the PDP,” Lamido said.

The former governor asked members of the public to ignore the rumour that he withdrew the matter after meeting with Seyi Makinde, governor of Oyo.

Lamido said the report was mischievous and inaccurate, adding that he remained committed to pursuing his rights within the party through lawful means.

BACKGROUND

Earlier today, a federal high court sitting in Abuja made a final order restraining the PDP from conducting its national convention scheduled to be held on Saturday.

Peter Lifu, the presiding judge, gave the order while ruling in a suit filed by the former Jigawa governor.

The court had on November 11 issued a temporary order restraining the party from proceeding with the planned convention pending the determination of the substantive suit.

Lamido had sued the party for allegedly denying him the opportunity to purchase the chairmanship nomination form to enable him to participate in the convention.

In his judgement, Lifu held that the evidence before the court established that Lamido was unjustly denied the opportunity to obtain a nomination form to contest the position of national chairman of the party, in violation of the PDP constitution and its internal regulations.

The judge held that the PDP is under a “strict” obligation to adhere to its own rules and regulations by giving opportunities to eligible members to pursue their political aspirations.

Consequently, the judge directed that the planned convention be put on hold to allow Lamido to obtain the nomination form, mobilise supporters, and conduct his campaign.