A Federal High Court in Abuja has barred the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, from recognising the outcome of the Peoples Democratic Party’s, PDP, planned 2025 National Convention.
Justice James Omotosho issued the order on Friday while delivering judgment in a suit challenging the legality of the convention scheduled for November 15 and 16, 2025, in Ibadan, Oyo State.
The court held that the PDP failed to comply with statutory requirements guiding the conduct of congresses and conventions.
It ruled that the party did not conduct congresses in some states, in violation of the Electoral Act and its own constitution.
Justice Omotosho also faulted the signing of official party notices and correspondences solely by the National Chairman, without the National Secretary, declaring such documents invalid.
Additionally, the court found that the PDP failed to issue the mandatory 21-day notice to INEC before conducting meetings and congresses, thereby preventing the commission from carrying out its oversight role.
“The failure of the PDP to comply with the law has put the planned convention in jeopardy,” Justice Omotosho ruled, cautioning the party to remedy all legal breaches before proceeding.
Consequently, INEC was restrained from receiving, publishing, or recognising any outcome of the convention until due process is followed.
The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2120/2025, was filed by three aggrieved party members: 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 conducted in 14 states prior to the issuance of the convention notice, asking the court to halt the event to enforce compliance with the Constitution, Electoral Act 2022, and PDP Constitution.
However, PDP’s acting National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Iliya Damagum, represented by Paul Erokoro, SAN, urged the court to dismiss the case, arguing that convention matters were internal party affairs. Eyitayo Jegede, SAN, representing the PDP National Working Committee and National Executive Committee, aligned with the same position.
INEC, the PDP, and several national officers of the party were listed as defendants in the suit.
More details shortly…
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