Court halts PDP national convention over alleged electoral violations
Story by Susan Mbamah
The Federal High Court in Abuja has stopped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from holding its national convention slated for November 15 and 16 in Ibadan, Oyo State.
In a ruling on Friday in suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/2120/2025, Justice James Omotosho ordered that the convention be suspended until the party complies with provisions of the PDP constitution, the 1999 Constitution, and the Electoral Act.
The case was filed by three party officials Austin Nwachukwu, chairman of Imo PDP; Amah Abraham Nnanna, chairman of Abia PDP; and Turnah Alabh George, PDP Secretary for the South-South. They argued that the planned convention breached internal party rules and the Electoral Act, particularly as the party had not conducted valid state congresses before planning the national event.
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Joined as defendants were the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the PDP, National Secretary Samuel Anyanwu, National Organising Secretary Umar Bature, the National Working Committee, National Executive Committee, acting chairman Ambassador Umar Iliya Damagum, Ali Odefa and Emmanuel Ogidi.
Justice Omotosho held that evidence before the court showed the PDP failed to meet statutory requirements and directed the party to “put its house in order” and give INEC the mandatory 21-day notice before rescheduling the convention.
He also barred INEC from recognising any convention conducted without due compliance with the law and dismissed preliminary objections by the defendants, ruling that the matter was not merely an internal party affair but one involving statutory obligations.
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