Court Bars INEC from Recognising PDP’s 2025 National Convention Outcome

A Federal High Court in Abuja has restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, from recognising the outcome of the Peoples Democratic Party’s, PDP, 2025 National Convention.

Justice James Omotosho issued the order on Friday while ruling on a suit challenging the legality of the convention scheduled to hold on November 15 and 16, 2025, in Ibadan, Oyo State.

The court held that the PDP failed to comply with statutory requirements for organising conventions and congresses. It noted that evidence tendered by INEC and some respondents showed that congresses were not conducted in some states, contrary to legal provisions.

Justice Omotosho further ruled that official correspondence and notices issued by the PDP National Chairman without the National Secretary’s signature were invalid.

He also held that the party did not give INEC the mandatory 21-day notice to enable the commission monitor its meetings and congresses, describing the omission as a fundamental breach of the law.

“The failure of the PDP to comply with the law has put the planned convention in jeopardy,” the judge ruled, restraining INEC from receiving, publishing or recognising the convention’s outcome until due process is observed.

The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2120/2025, was filed by three aggrieved party officials: Austin Nwachukwu (Imo PDP chairman), Amah Abraham Nnanna (Abia PDP chairman), and Turnah Alabh George (PDP South-South secretary). They were represented by Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Joseph Daudu.

The plaintiffs argued that no valid congresses were held in 14 states before the party’s National Working Committee and National Executive Committee issued notice for the convention.

They asked the court to intervene to enforce compliance with the 1999 Constitution, the Electoral Act 2022 and the PDP Constitution.

However, counsel to the acting National Chairman of the PDP, Ambassador Umar Iliya Damagum, Paul Erokoro, SAN, urged the court to decline jurisdiction, stating that party congresses and conventions are internal matters. Eyitayo Jegede, SAN, representing the PDP’s NWC and NEC, supported the argument.

INEC, the PDP and several national party officials were listed as defendants in the matter.