By Jamiu Yusuf
ABUJA: The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has restrained the Peoples Democratic Party PDP from holding its planned national convention slated for November 15 and 16 in Ibadan, Oyo State.
Delivering judgment, Justice James Omotosho upheld a suit filed by three aggrieved members of the party, ruling that the PDP violated key provisions of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the guidelines of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and its own constitution.
The court found that the party failed to conduct valid state congresses before proceeding to organize the national convention meant to elect new national officers.
Justice Omotosho consequently ordered the PDP to “go back and put its house in order,” including giving the statutory 21-day notice to INEC before convening any future convention.
The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2120/2025, was filed by Hon. Austin Nwachukwu (Imo PDP Chairman), Hon. Amah Abraham Nnanna (Abia PDP Chairman), and Turnah Alabh George (PDP Secretary, South-South).
Those cited as defendants include the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC); the PDP; its National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu; National Organizing Secretary, Umar Bature; National Vice Chairman (South-East), Ali Odefa; National Vice Chairman (South-South), Emmanuel Ogidi; and the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) and National Executive Committee (NEC).
The court also dismissed preliminary objections raised by the defendants, who had argued that the matter was an internal party affair outside the court’s jurisdiction.
