The Federal High Court in Abuja has restrained the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from proceeding with its planned national convention scheduled for November 15 and 16 in Ibadan, Oyo State.
Delivering judgment on Friday, Justice James Omotosho ruled in favour of three aggrieved members of the party, holding that the PDP failed to comply with constitutional and procedural requirements before convening the convention.
The court found that the party neglected to conduct valid state congresses as required by its constitution, the 1999 Constitution (as amended), and the guidelines of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Justice Omotosho maintained that the PDP could not validly hold a national convention without fulfilling these obligations, stressing that the evidence before the court clearly showed procedural lapses in the party’s preparations.
“The party is directed to go back and put its house in order. It must also issue the statutory 21-day notice before proceeding with the proposed convention,” the judge ordered.
The case was instituted by Hon. Austin Nwachukwu (Imo PDP Chairman), Hon. Amah Abraham Nnanna (Abia PDP Chairman), and Turnah Alabh George (PDP Secretary, South-South). The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2120/2025, sought to stop the convention until the proper legal and internal processes were observed.
Joined as defendants were the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the PDP, the party’s National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, the National Organising Secretary, Umar Bature, two national officers, Ali Odefa and Emmanuel Ogidi, as well as the National Working Committee (NWC) and National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party.
In its ruling, the court dismissed preliminary objections filed by the defendants, who argued that the matter was an internal party issue beyond judicial interference.
Justice Omotosho, however, held that while political parties are free to manage their affairs, they must do so within the confines of the law and their constitutions.
The ruling effectively puts on hold preparations for the PDP’s national convention until the party regularises its internal processes and adheres to statutory notice requirements.