Former Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido, has dismissed reports suggesting he has withdrawn his legal action against the Peoples Democratic Party or consented to the party’s planned national convention in Ibadan.
In a statement shared on his official Facebook page on Friday evening, Lamido described the circulating report as “fake news,” noting that it triggered a wave of calls from concerned PDP members nationwide after it spread around the proposed convention venue.
He clarified that, contrary to the rumour, the Federal High Court had earlier on Friday delivered a judgment affirming his right to contest the PDP national chairmanship, a right he said was previously denied.
“I urge members to note that the story attributed to me is false. The Federal High Court today, at about 2:30 p.m., delivered a judgment affirming my right to contest the Chairmanship of the PDP, which was earlier denied me,” he stated.
Lamido further explained that the court also issued an order halting the party’s national convention scheduled for November 15 and 16 in Ibadan until the PDP complies with the ruling.
The former governor added that the court further barred the Independent National Electoral Commission from supervising or observing the event supervising or observing the event.
“Certified order stopping the Ibadan Convention has already been delivered to INEC and the PDP,” he added.
The former governor also debunked claims that he directed his legal team to withdraw the case after an alleged meeting with Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, calling the report “malicious” and “misleading.”
Lamido reaffirmed his commitment to pursuing his rights through lawful means, urging party members and the public to disregard the false narrative.
It was earlier reported that the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Friday ordered the PDP to suspend its national convention.
Delivering judgment in the suit instituted by Lamido, Justice Peter Lifu restrained INEC from supervising, monitoring or recognising any convention conducted by the PDP without including the plaintiff as a contestant.
Justice Lifu held that evidence before the court established that Lamido was unjustly denied the opportunity to obtain a nomination form to contest for the position of National Chairman of the party, in violation of the PDP Constitution and its internal regulations.
The court affirmed that the PDP was duty-bound to create opportunities for its members to serve by adopting deliberate measures that enable them to pursue their political aspirations.
As a consequential order, Lifu directed that the planned convention be put on hold to allow Lamido to obtain the nomination form, mobilise supporters and conduct his campaign.
