Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, has halted the 2025 National Convention of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) pending full compliance with the party’s constitution, statutory requirements, and the Electoral Act.
Delivering judgment on Friday in a suit filed by three aggrieved PDP members, Justice Omotosho also restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising or accepting any report from a PDP national convention not conducted in line with due process, the law, and INEC’s guidelines and regulations.
The court ruled that INEC cannot validate or give effect to the outcome of any political party convention held in violation of the Constitution, Electoral Act, or the party’s own internal procedures.
The plaintiffs had approached the court seeking to stop the PDP’s planned convention scheduled for November 15 and 16, 2025, in Ibadan, Oyo State, where new national officers were expected to be elected. They argued that the planned exercise breached the provisions of the party’s constitution.
The defendants in the suit include INEC, the PDP, Samuel Anyanwu (National Secretary), Umar Bature (National Organising Secretary), the National Working Committee (NWC), the National Executive Committee (NEC), Ambassador Umar Iliya Damagum, Ali Odefa, and Emmanuel Ogidi.
