The Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday ordered the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to suspend its planned national convention in Ibadan, Oyo State, set for November 15-16, until further notice.
Justice James Omotosho, presiding over the case marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2120/2025, ruled that the convention must be put on hold pending the party’s compliance with its constitution, the Nigerian Constitution, and the Electoral Act.
The suit was initiated by three dissatisfied PDP members: Austin Nwachukwu (Imo State PDP Chairman); Amah Abraham Nnanna (Abia State PDP Chairman); and Turnah Alabh George (PDP Secretary, South-South zone).
They challenged the legality of holding the national convention, arguing it breached both the Electoral Act and the PDP’s internal regulations.
The defendants in the suit include the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the PDP, key party officials such as National Secretary Samuel Anyanwu, National Organising Secretary Umar Bature, the National Working Committee, the National Executive Committee, Ambassador Umar Iliya Damagum, Ali Odefa, and Emmanuel Ogidi.
In his judgment, Justice Omotosho found clear evidence that the PDP had failed to conduct valid state congresses before planning the national convention, thus violating the 1999 Constitution (as amended), INEC guidelines, and the party’s own constitution.
The court directed the PDP to “go back and put its house in order,” including issuing the mandatory 21-day notice to INEC before proceeding with the convention.
Furthermore, the judge restrained INEC from recognising or accepting the results of any PDP convention not conducted according to due legal process and regulatory requirements.
The court emphasized that INEC cannot validate outcomes from any party convention that contravenes constitutional provisions, the Electoral Act, or relevant party rules.
Lastly, the court dismissed all preliminary objections by the defendants claiming jurisdictional issues, stating that the case was not an internal party affair but a matter of law and compliance.
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