The Supreme Court of Nigeria has dismissed an appeal by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) challenging the decisions of lower courts regarding the party’s planned convention in Ibadan, set for November 2025. In a split verdict of 3 to 2, the apex court ruled that the appeal lacked merit, citing the PDP’s disobedience of a Federal High Court order as a critical factor.
Delivering the lead judgment, Justice John Ada stated that the PDP’s disregard for the Federal High Court’s restraining order, which barred the party from conducting the Ibadan convention, was fatal to their case. The court further described the appeal as an abuse of judicial processes, emphasizing that disobedience to court orders undermines the integrity of the judiciary.
Split Verdict and Minority Opinion
In the minority opinion, Justice Simon Tsammani upheld the PDP’s appeal, creating a division among the justices. The case, originally filed by former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido at the Federal High Court in Abuja, saw the trial court order the PDP to pause its convention, sell chairmanship forms to Lamido, and subsequently conduct the event. However, the Supreme Court majority frowned upon the party’s flagrant disobedience and alleged forum shopping.
This ruling sends a strong message about the importance of adhering to judicial directives, with the court reiterating that defying court orders is tantamount to disrespecting the entire judiciary system in Nigeria.
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