The Federal High Court in Abuja has stopped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from proceeding with its planned national convention slated for November 15–16 in Ibadan, Oyo State, citing violations of constitutional and electoral guidelines.
Delivering judgment on Friday, Justice James Omotosho ruled in favour of three aggrieved PDP members, holding that the party failed to comply with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the INEC guidelines, and its own party constitution.
The court found that the PDP did not conduct valid state congresses before announcing the convention to elect new national officers. It, therefore, ordered the party to rectify its internal lapses and issue the statutory 21-day notice to INEC before any national convention can take place.
The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2120/2025, was filed by Hon. Austin Nwachukwu (Imo PDP Chairman), Hon. Amah Abraham Nnanna (Abia PDP Chairman), and Turnah Alabh George (PDP South-South Secretary).
Defendants in the case included INEC, the PDP National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, the National Organising Secretary, Umar Bature, two other party officials, and the National Working Committee (NWC) and National Executive Committee (NEC).
Justice Omotosho dismissed preliminary objections from the defendants, ruling that the court had the jurisdiction to intervene since the matter concerned adherence to constitutional and legal requirements, not just an internal party issue.
The ruling comes amid deepening divisions within the PDP. The party had already postponed the screening of aspirants for the convention earlier this week, citing “unforeseen circumstances.”
Political observers believe the ongoing crisis, including alleged interference by FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, could further delay the opposition party’s restructuring ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The PDP has yet to issue an official response to the court’s decision.
