The Federal High Court in Abuja has stopped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from holding its proposed national convention scheduled for November 15 and 16 in Ibadan, Oyo State, pending full compliance with electoral and constitutional guidelines.
Ruling on a suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2120/2025, Justice James Omotosho on Friday held that the party failed to fulfil statutory conditions required before convening the exercise, particularly the conduct of valid state congresses and the mandatory notice to the Independent National Electoral Commission.
The suit was filed by three aggrieved members of the PDP — Austin Nwachukwu (Imo PDP chairman), Amah Abraham Nnanna (Abia PDP chairman) and Turnah Alabh George (South-South Secretary) — who argued that the planned convention violated both the Electoral Act and the provisions of the PDP constitution.
In his judgment, Justice Omotosho stated:
“The evidence before the court clearly shows that the defendants did not adhere to the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Electoral Act, the guidelines issued by INEC and the party’s own constitution.”
The judge ruled that the PDP must “put its house in order” before proceeding with the convention and must also issue the statutory 21-day notice to INEC as required by law.
“Until the party complies with the due process of law and its internal regulations, the proposed national convention cannot proceed,” the court held.
Justice Omotosho further restrained INEC from recognising or giving effect to the outcome of any convention held without compliance.
“INEC is not under any obligation to accept or validate the outcome of a convention that fails to meet legal and procedural requirements,” he ruled.
The defendants in the suit include INEC, the PDP, National Secretary Samuel Anyanwu, National Organising Secretary Umar Bature, the National Working Committee, the National Executive Committee, and Ambassador Umar Damagum, among others.
The court also dismissed the PDP’s preliminary objection that the matter was merely an internal party dispute, affirming that compliance with the Electoral Act is a matter of national legal interest, not just internal procedure.
