The Court of Appeal in Abuja has upheld a Federal High Court ruling that blocks the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognizing the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) controversial national convention in Ibadan on November 15-16, 2025.
In a ruling delivered today, Monday, March 9, 2026, a three-member panel dismissed the PDP’s appeal challenging the lower court’s jurisdiction.
Justice Uchechukwu Onyemenam, in the lead judgment, ruled that the PDP flouted constitutional requirements for holding a convention.
Crucially, the party failed to serve INEC with the mandatory notice, rendering the event invalid, it said.
The appellate court also held that congresses were not held in more than 14 states, as provided by law, before the event.
Onyemenam held that the matter raised by those who filed the suit at the lower court should not be regarded as internal affairs of the party.
The court of appeal held that the federal high court was right in assuming jurisdiction and granting an order restraining INEC from accepting or recognising the outcome of the national convention.
“Non-compliance with the 1999 Constitution, Electoral Act 2022 and party Constitution and Guidelines are at the heart of democratic governance, and compliance must be strictly enforced in the interest of democracy,” the court held.
The court awarded N2million cost against the PDP for filing a “frivolous appeal”, TheCable news report noted.
On October 31, 2025, the federal high court in Abuja restrained the PDP from conducting the convention, the report added.
James Omotosho, judge of a federal high court in Abuja, held that evidence before the court indicated that the party failed to conduct valid state congresses ahead of the planned convention, contrary to provisions of the 1999 Constitution, INEC guidelines, and the party’s constitution.
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