A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has barred the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising or publishing the results of the forthcoming 2025 National Convention of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Justice James Omotosho gave the ruling on Friday while delivering judgment in a suit filed by three aggrieved members of the opposition party challenging the legality of the planned convention.
Omotosho held that the PDP failed to comply with key legal provisions governing the conduct of conventions, including the holding of congresses in all states and the issuance of proper notices to INEC.
According to him, evidence tendered by INEC and some respondents showed that congresses were not held in certain states, in clear violation of the law.
The judge also ruled that party notices and correspondence signed solely by the PDP National Chairman, without the signature of the National Secretary, were invalid under existing legal requirements.
He warned that the PDP’s continued non-compliance had placed its proposed convention "in legal jeopardy" and advised the party to correct the lapses before proceeding with the election.
Consequently, the court restrained INEC from receiving, publishing, or recognising the outcome of the PDP convention slated for Ibadan, Oyo State, until the party fully complied with the law.
The case, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2120/2025, was filed by three PDP officials, including Hon Austin Nwachukwu (Imo PDP Chairman), Hon Amah Abraham Nnanna (Abia PDP Chairman), and Turnah Alabh George (PDP Secretary, South-South).
The three officials were represented by Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Joseph Daudu.
Also, the nine defendants listed in the suit include the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Samuel Anyanwu (National Secretary), Umar Bature (National Organising Secretary), the PDP National Working Committee (NWC), the National Executive Committee (NEC), Ambassador Umar Iliya Damagum, Ali Odefa, and Emmanuel Ogidi.
The plaintiffs had sought to halt the planned national convention scheduled for November 15 and 16, 2025, in Ibadan, where new national officers are expected to emerge.
Despite the court order, members of the PDP National Convention Committee have hailed ongoing preparations and facilities in Ibadan ahead of the event.
The committee, chaired by Adamawa State Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, had earlier visited the city to inspect the proposed venues such as the Lekan Salami Sports Complex, Adamasingba, and the Samuel Ladoke Akintola Airport, Alakia.
The Committee Secretary, Hon Stanley Olajide, who led an inspection team accompanied by Oyo State Deputy Governor Bayo Lawal, commended the level of readiness displayed by the host state.
Areas inspected included the main bowl, training pitch, toilet facilities, lighting systems, and other critical infrastructure expected to serve delegates during the two-day convention.
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