A Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice James Omotosho, has scheduled October 31, 2025, for judgment in a lawsuit aiming to halt the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) 2025 National Convention, citing alleged violations of the party’s rules. The suit was filed by three PDP members,Austin Nwachukwu (Imo PDP Chairman), Amah Abraham Nnanna (Abia PDP Chairman), and Turnah George (PDP Secretary, South-South), who argue that the planned November 15-16 convention in Ibadan, Oyo State, to elect new national officers, breaches the party’s constitution.
During Tuesday’s hearing, Justice Omotosho reiterated an earlier order for all parties to maintain the status quo regarding the convention, warning that any actions taken during the pending case could be nullified. The plaintiffs’ counsel, Joseph Daudu (SAN), argued that the issue transcends internal party matters, asserting that the Nigerian Constitution and Electoral Act 2022 require the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to monitor party congresses for validity. Daudu claimed no valid congresses were held in 14 states before the PDP’s National Working Committee (NWC) and National Executive Committee (NEC) announced the convention.
Opposing the suit, Umar Damagum’s counsel, Paul Erokoro (SAN), and Eyitayo Jegede (SAN), representing the PDP’s NWC and NEC, urged the court to dismiss the case, arguing that conventions and congresses are internal party affairs beyond the court’s jurisdiction. The nine defendants include INEC, the PDP, National Secretary Samuel Anyanwu, National Organising Secretary Umar Bature, the NWC, the NEC, Ambassador Umar Iliya Damagum, Ali Odefa, and Emmanuel Ogidi.
