- A Federal High Court in Abuja has stopped INEC from recognising any result from the planned PDP National Convention
- The court ruled that the PDP failed to hold valid congresses in some states.
- Justice James Omotosho declared that documents signed only by the PDP National Chairman are invalid.
- INEC is now barred from receiving, publishing or approving the convention outcome until the PDP complies with legal requirements.
A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has halted the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from going ahead with its planned National Convention in a manner that would be recognised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Justice James Omotosho delivered the ruling after examining a suit filed by three PDP members who questioned the legality of the convention scheduled for November 15 and 16, 2025, in Ibadan, Oyo State.
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In the judgment, the court held that the PDP violated several legal provisions guiding political party administration. According to Justice Omotosho, evidence submitted to the court, including documents from INEC, showed that the party did not conduct congresses in some states. This violates the law and undermines the foundation of any national convention that would rely on those congress outcomes.
Another major lapse noted by the court was that party notices and official correspondence were signed only by the PDP National Chairman. The judge ruled that such documents are invalid unless jointly signed by both the National Chairman and the National Secretary, as required by law.
The court further faulted the PDP for failing to give INEC the mandatory 21-day notice before holding congresses and meetings. Justice Omotosho stated that by ignoring this requirement, the party prevented INEC from carrying out its statutory role of monitoring internal party elections.
He concluded that the lapses left the planned convention “legally unsafe,” and therefore ordered that INEC must not receive, publish, or recognise any outcome from the planned PDP National Convention until the party follows all legal processes.
The case was instituted by three aggrieved PDP officials: Hon. Austin Nwachukwu from Imo State, Hon. Amah Abraham Nnanna from Abia State, and Turnah Alabh George from the South-South zone and they were represented by Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Joseph Daudu.
Meanwhile, members of the PDP Convention Committee have expressed satisfaction with preparations at the Lekan Salami Sports Complex in Ibadan, where the event is scheduled to hold.
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The committee, led by Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri of Adamawa State, inspected the facilities alongside Oyo State Deputy Governor, Bayo Lawal. After the inspection, the Committee Secretary, Hon. Stanley Olajide, praised the readiness of the facilities, describing them as “impressive and fit for the high-profile gathering.”
Despite the ongoing legal battle, the committee says arrangements are fully on track, but the fate of the convention now rests on the PDP’s compliance with the court order.
