The Federal High Court in Abuja has halted the planned 2025 National Convention of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) pending compliance with statutory requirements under the party’s constitution, the 1999 Constitution (as amended), and the Electoral Act.
Delivering judgment on Friday, Justice James Omotosho ruled in favour of three aggrieved members of the party who filed a suit seeking to stop the convention scheduled for November 15–16, 2025, in Ibadan, Oyo State, where new national officers were to be elected.
The judge also restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising or accepting any report or outcome of a PDP national convention not conducted in line with the law and the party’s internal guidelines.
“INEC is not entitled to give effect to a convention of a political party not conducted in accordance with the Constitution, the Electoral Act, and the party’s guidelines and regulations,” Justice Omotosho held.
The plaintiffs had alleged that the planned convention violated the PDP’s constitution and sought judicial intervention to ensure due process.
The nine defendants in the suit include INEC, the PDP, Samuel Anyanwu (National Secretary), Umar Bature (National Organising Secretary), the National Working Committee (NWC), the National Executive Committee (NEC), Ambassador Umar Iliya Damagum, Ali Odefa, and Emmanuel Ogidi.
PDP rejects ruling, plans appeal
Reacting to the verdict, the PDP said the court’s decision did not stop it from continuing preparations for the convention.
In a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, the party described the judgment as “an assault on Nigeria’s democratic process” and directed its legal team to appeal the ruling immediately.
“The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is appalled by the judgment of the Federal High Court, Abuja, presided over by Honourable Justice James Omotosho, describing it as an assault on Nigeria’s democratic process,” the statement read.
“However, the judgment does not vitiate our ability to proceed with processes and activities toward the National Convention to elect new national officers.”
Ologunagba cited a recent Supreme Court judgment affirming the supremacy of political parties in managing their internal affairs and urged members, chapters, and organs of the PDP to remain focused on preparations for the convention.
“Nevertheless, as the leading opposition party committed to the rule of law, the PDP has directed its lawyers to appeal this judgment in our unwavering determination to uphold and defend multi-party democracy in Nigeria,” the statement added.
