Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the suspension of the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) planned 2025 National Convention until the party complies with its constitution, statutory requirements, and the provisions of the Electoral Act.
The ruling followed a suit filed by three aggrieved party members: Hon. Austin Nwachukwu (Imo PDP chairman), Hon. Amah Abraham Nnanna (Abia PDP chairman), and Turnah Alabh George (PDP Secretary, South-South). The plaintiffs asked the court to stop the convention, citing violations of electoral laws.
In his judgment, Justice Omotosho also restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from accepting or acting on any report from a PDP national convention that does not strictly adhere to legal procedures and the party’s guidelines.
He maintained that INEC cannot give effect to the decisions of any convention conducted in breach of the Constitution, the Electoral Act, or the regulations governing political parties.
The plaintiffs had approached the court to halt the PDP’s National Convention scheduled for November 15 and 16, 2025, in Ibadan, Oyo State, where new national officers were expected to be elected. They argued that the event violated the party’s constitution.
The nine defendants in the suit include: the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC); the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP); Samuel Anyanwu, National Secretary; Umar Bature, National Organizing Secretary; the National Working Committee (NWC); the National Executive Committee (NEC); Ambassador Umar Iliya Damagum; Ali Odefa; and Emmanuel Ogidi.
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