The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has rejected a ruling by the Federal High Court in Abuja restraining it from holding its planned national convention, describing the judgment as “an assault on Nigeria’s democratic process.”
Justice James Omotosho had issued the order while ruling on a suit questioning the legality of the party’s planned convention slated for November 15 and 16 in Ibadan, Oyo State.
In a statement on Friday by its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, the opposition party vowed to proceed with all internal preparations for the convention to elect new national officers.
“The PDP states that the judgment does not vitiate its ability to proceed with the processes and activities towards the National Convention,” Ologunagba said, citing a recent Supreme Court judgment affirming the autonomy of political parties in managing their internal affairs.
The party also directed its members and organs nationwide to remain resolute and continue preparations for the event, even as it plans to appeal the ruling.
“Nevertheless, as a party committed to the rule of law, the PDP has directed its legal team to take immediate steps to appeal this judgment,” the statement added.
The suit was filed by three senior PDP officials — Austine Nwachukwu (Imo State chairman), Amah Abraham Nnanna (Abia State chairman), and Turnah George (South-South secretary) — who are reportedly political allies of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.
They argued that the convention preparations violated the PDP constitution, the 1999 Constitution, and the Electoral Act, claiming that “no congress was conducted in 14 states.”
In its defence, the PDP maintained that the matter concerns internal party affairs, accusing the plaintiffs of attempting to undermine a legitimate leadership transition process.
The ruling and the party’s defiance have deepened internal tensions within the PDP, as it struggles to reconcile warring factions ahead of the convention.
