The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Southeast Zonal Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr. James Ugwu, have been cautioned against any actions that could amount to contempt of court regarding a purported zonal congress of the party in the Southeast.
In separate letters addressed to INEC and Mr. Ugwu, Barr. Mike Nwankwo’s legal counsel reminded them of a subsisting court order (Suit No: FCT/HC/CV/325/2025), which prohibits the PDP from conducting the zonal congress.
The letter, signed by Kalu Kalu Agu, lead counsel to Barr. Nwankwo, emphasized that INEC had already entered an appearance in the case and had pledged to obey the court order.
As a result, INEC withdrew its staff from the botched Southeast zonal congress, initially scheduled for Saturday, February 22, 2025.
The counsel further reminded INEC that, according to the PDP constitution, only the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) has the authority to conduct zonal congresses, and since the failed February 22 congress, the NWC has not announced a new date.
Amid rumors circulating on social media, alleging that embattled PDP National Vice Chairman (Southeast), Mr. Ali Odefa, was coordinating a new congress date via WhatsApp messages through Mr. James Ugwu, the legal counsel urged party members to disregard such claims.
Warning against any violations, Mr. Kalu advised INEC and the PDP’s zonal secretary to respect the court order and urged PDP members in the Southeast to await an official announcement from the NWC, the only body empowered to schedule the congress.
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