Court stops PDP national convention over violation of party guidelines, electoral laws
The Federal High Court Abuja on Friday stopped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from conducting its planned national convention scheduled for November 15 and 16 2025, pending its compliance with the requirements of the party’s constitution, the Nigerian Constitution, and the Electoral Act.
The suit was filed by three aggrieved members of the party; Austin Nwachukwu (Imo PDP Chairman), Amah Abraham Nnanna (Abia PDP Chairman), and Turnah George (PDP Secretary, South-South).
The judge had on Tuesday October 21 reiterated his earlier order directing all parties to maintain status quo regarding the planned convention, pending Friday’s judgement.
The suit sought to halt the PDP 2025 National Convention on the grounds of alleged violations of the party’s rules.
The nine defendants in the suit are: the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), PDP National Secretary, Samuel Anyawu; PDP National Organising Secretary, Umar Bature; the National Working Committee (NWC), the National Executive Committee (NEC), Emmanuel Ogidi, Ambassador Umar Iliya Damagum and Ali Odefa.
Delivering judgement, Justice Omotosho held that the evidence before the court established that the party failed to comply with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the PDP’s constitution and INEC guidelines.
The court stated that the PDP did not conduct valid state congresses before proceeding with preparations for the national convention where its leaders are expected to be elected.
The judge directed the PDP “to go back and put its house in order, and to give the statutory 21-day notice to INEC before it can proceed with the proposed convention”, while restraining INEC from accepting or recognising the outcome of any PDP national convention that is not conducted in accordance with due process, the law, and INEC’s own regulations.
The court stated that INEC cannot give recognition to the outcome of any convention organized by political parties that fail to comply with the provisions of the Constitution, the Electoral Act, and the respective party’s guidelines.
Preliminary objections filed by the defendants challenging the court’s jurisdiction on the grounds that the matter centered around internal party affairs, were also dismissed by the court.
Recall that the PDP had set up a 13-member National Convention Screening Committee to assess aspirants for national offices ahead of the planned 2025 National Convention, scheduled for November 15 and 16 2025 in Ibadan, Oyo State.
Details shortly…
