Court stops PDP Convention, party vows to continue with processes

The Federal High Court in Abuja has stopped the Independent National Electoral Commission from recognising the outcome of the Peoples Party Convention.

Delivering the ruling on Friday, Justice James Omotosho held that the PDP failed to comply with the provisions of its constitution and relevant laws governing the conduct of national conventions.

He stated that evidence presented by INEC and other respondents showed that congresses were not held in several states across the country, in violation of legal requirements.

Justice Omotosho also ruled that documents signed solely by the PDP National Chairman without the National Secretary’s co-signature were invalid, adding that the party did not issue the mandatory 21-day notice required for INEC to monitor such gatherings.

The court, therefore, barred INEC from receiving, publishing, or recognising any results from the planned Ibadan convention until the party fully complies with legal procedures.

The case, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2120/2025, was filed by three aggrieved party officials: Austin Nwachukwu (Imo PDP Chairman), Hon. Amah Abraham Nnanna (Abia PDP Chairman), and Turnah Alabh George (PDP Secretary, South-South), who accused the PDP National Chairman of mismanaging the crisis-ridden party.

However, PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, insisted that preparations for the convention would continue, despite the court ruling, in a statement on Friday.

“The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is appalled by the judgement of the Federal High Court Abuja, presided over by Honorable Justice Kolawole Omotosho today, describing it as an assault on Nigeria’s democratic process.”

The PDP stated that the judgment of the court does not vitiate its ability to proceed with the processes and activities towards the National Convention to elect new National Officers to pilot the affairs of the Party for the next four years.

“Our Party notes the recent judgement of the Supreme Court which affirms the supremacy of a political party in the management of its internal affairs.

“The PDP therefore charges its members, Chapter and Organs to remain steadfast and focused on preparations towards the holding of the National Convention of our Party,” the statement read.

Ologunagba added that as a party committed to the rule of law, the party “has accordingly directed its lawyers to take immediate action to appeal this judgment in our unwavering determination to uphold, defend and promote multi-party democracy in our country”.