Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja has halted the planned 2025 National Convention of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) until the party complies with statutory provisions in its constitution, the Nigerian Constitution, and the Electoral Act.
Delivering judgment 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 conducted without due process.
The judge ruled that INEC cannot give effect to any convention held by a political party that fails to adhere to the provisions of the law, the Electoral Act, and the party’s own regulations.
The claimants brought the suit to stop the PDP from holding its National Convention scheduled for 15–16 November 2025 in Ibadan, Oyo State, where new national officers were to be elected. They argued that the convention breached the party’s constitution.
The defendants in the case include the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Peoples Democratic Party (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.