A Federal High Court in Abuja, on Friday, issued an order preventing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising the outcome of the national convention scheduled to take place in Ibadan, Oyo State, on November 15 and 16 by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
Justice James Omotosho, in his ruling, stated that the PDP had failed to meet the necessary conditions outlined in its constitution and relevant laws that specify the procedures required before organising such a convention.
Justice Omotosho further ruled that evidence presented before the court by INEC and some respondents indicated that congresses were not held in several states across the federation, thereby violating the law.
He also held that the signing of notices and correspondences by the PDP National Chairman without the National Secretary was contrary to the law and therefore rendered such documents invalid.
The judge noted that the PDP had not issued the mandatory 21-day notice for meetings and congresses, which is required to allow INEC to perform its statutory duty of monitoring such events.
He added that the party’s failure to comply with the law had jeopardised the planned convention and advised the PDP to take the necessary legal steps before proceeding with the election.
The judge subsequently restrained INEC from receiving, publishing, or recognising the results of the proposed convention in Ibadan until full compliance with the law was ensured.
The ruling was delivered in a case identified as FHC/ABJ/CS/2120/2025, filed by three dissatisfied members of the party.
The plaintiffs – Austin Nwachukwu (Imo PDP Chairman), Hon Amah Abraham Nnanna (Abia PDP Chairman), and Turnah Alabh George (PDP Secretary, South-South) – expressed discontent with the manner in which the National Chairman has been managing the affairs of the crisis-plagued party.
