The Federal High Court in Abuja has issued a ruling halting the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP’s national convention scheduled for November 15-16 in Ibadan, Oyo State.
The court decision comes amid accusations of procedural lapses and internal sabotage, positioning the party precariously as it gears up for the 2027 general elections.
Pan-Atlantic Kompass reports that the court’s ruling came in response to a suit filed by aggrieved PDP chieftains, including Imo State Chairman Austin Nwachukwu, Abia State Chairman Amah Abraham Nnanna, and former South-South Zonal Secretary Turnah Alabh George.
The plaintiffs instituted the suit seeking to stop the planned November 15 and 16, 2025 National Convention of PDP scheduled for Ibadan in Oyo State, where new National Officers are expected to be elected on the grounds of breach of the party’s Constitution.
The nine defendants are, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the PDP, Samuel Anyanwu, National Secretary of the party, Umar Bature, National Organizing Secretary of the party, the National Working Committee (NWC) and the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party, Ambassador Umar Iliya Damagum, Ali Odefa, and Emmanuel Ogidi.
Justice James Omotosho, in his judgment on suit FHC/ABJ/CS/2120/2025, declared that the PDP’s preparations violated key provisions of the Nigerian Constitution, the Electoral Act 2022, and the party’s own constitution. Central to the plaintiffs’ grievances was the failure to conduct valid state congresses in at least 14 states, a mandatory prerequisite monitored by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The judge further invalidated notices issued by National Chairman Umar Iliya Damagum without the co-signature of National Secretary Senator Samuel Anyanwu, labeling them a “nullity.”
The judge held that INEC is not entitled to give effect to PDP’s national convention if a party has not done so in accordance with the Constitution, Electoral Act, and the guidelines/regulations of political parties.
The judge also restrained INEC from accepting or recognising the outcome of PDP’s national convention that was not conducted in accordance with due process, the law, and INEC’s own regulations.
Pan-Atlantic Kompass reports that the implications of this court judgment extend far beyond the stalled convention, striking at the PDP’s organizational core and its viability as a credible opposition.
By restraining INEC from monitoring, receiving, or recognizing any outcomes from the Ibadan event, the judgment has effectively paralyzed the party’s ability to install legitimate leadership until state-level congresses are reconvened—a process that could take months amid ongoing disputes.
This limbo threatens to invalidate the PDP’s internal elections, leaving its current National Working Committee (NWC) in a caretaker role and vulnerable to further legal challenges.
However, in a swift reaction, the leadership of the PDP rejected the court’s judgement.
The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, in a press statement said the action of the court does not invalidate the PDP’s national convention.
He described the judgement as an assault on Nigeria’s democratic processes, saying the party has directed its legal team to appeal the judgement.
The statement reads: “The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is appalled by the judgment of the Federal High Court Abuja, presided over by Honorable Justice Kolawole Omotosho today, describing it as an assault on Nigeria’s democratic process.
“However, the PDP states that the judgment of the court does not vitiate its ability to proceed with the processes and activities towards the National Convention to elect new National Officers to pilot the affairs of the Party for the next four years.
“Our Party notes the recent judgement of the Supreme Court which affirms the supremacy of a political party in the management of its internal affairs.
“The PDP therefore charges its members, Chapter and Organs to remain steadfast and focused on preparations towards the holding of the National Convention of our Party
Pan-Atlantic Kompass also reports that PDP’s national convention is compounded by other internal and legal challenges.
The party’s embattled National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, also an ally of the Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, recently petitioned security agencies, alleging that his signature was forged on documents sent to INEC notifying it of the convention. The PDP’s NWC and Board of Trustees (BoT) have dismissed the allegation as baseless.
