The Federal High Court in Abuja has stopped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from proceeding with its planned 2025 National Convention, pending full compliance with the provisions of the party’s constitution, the Nigerian Constitution, and the Electoral Act.
Justice James Omotosho, delivering judgment in a suit filed by three aggrieved members of the party, also restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognizing or accepting any report from the convention if conducted without strict adherence to due process and statutory regulations.
In his ruling, Justice Omotosho declared that INEC “is not entitled to give effect to the outcome of any convention conducted in violation of the Constitution, the Electoral Act, and the internal guidelines or regulations of a political party.”
The plaintiffs had approached the court to stop the PDP from holding its planned National Convention slated for November 15 and 16, 2025, in Ibadan, Oyo State, where new national officers were expected to emerge. They argued that the convention was being organized in violation of the party’s constitution and internal rules.
Listed as defendants in the suit were the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the National Secretary of the party, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, the National Organizing Secretary, Umar Bature, the National Working Committee (NWC), the National Executive Committee (NEC), Acting National Chairman Ambassador Umar Iliya Damagum, as well as Ali Odefa and Emmanuel Ogidi.
The ruling, which throws the PDP’s leadership transition plans into uncertainty, marks a major legal setback for the opposition party as it struggles to regain internal stability ahead of the next election cycle.
