Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja has stopped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from holding its 2025 National Convention until the party complies with the Constitution, the Electoral Act, and its own statutory requirements.
The ruling followed a suit filed by three aggrieved PDP members: Hon. Austin Nwachukwu (Imo PDP Chairman), Hon. Amah Abraham Nnanna (Abia PDP Chairman), and Turnah Alabh George (PDP Secretary, South-South), who argued that the planned convention violated electoral laws.
Delivering the judgment, Justice Omotosho restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from accepting any report on the outcome of the convention unless it adheres to due process, the law, and party regulations.
“INEC is not entitled to give effect to a convention not conducted in accordance with the Constitution, the Electoral Act, and the guidelines/regulations of political parties,” the judge stated.
The plaintiffs had filed the suit to prevent the National Convention scheduled for November 15–16, 2025, in Ibadan, Oyo State, where new National Officers were expected to be elected, citing breaches of the party’s Constitution.
The case lists nine defendants, including the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the PDP, Samuel Anyanwu (National Secretary), Umar Bature (National Organizing Secretary), the National Working Committee (NWC), the National Executive Committee (NEC), and party officials Ambassador Umar Iliya Damagum, Ali Odefa, and Emmanuel Ogidi.
