The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has insisted that its forthcoming national convention scheduled for November 15 in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital will go ahead, describing a recent Federal High Court ruling as “an assault on Nigeria’s democratic process.”
The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, said in a statement on Friday that the court order by Justice James Omotosho, which challenged the legality of PDP’s preparatory processes for the convention, would not impede the party’s plans.
“PDP states that the judgment of the court does not vitiate its ability to proceed with the processes and activities towards the national convention to elect new national officers to pilot the affairs of the party for the next four years,” Ologunagba said.
He cited a recent Supreme Court judgment affirming the supremacy of political parties in managing their internal affairs and called on party members and organs to remain focused and steadfast in their preparations.
Ologunagba also confirmed that PDP’s legal team has been directed to appeal the ruling in order to safeguard and promote multi-party democracy in Nigeria.
Justice Omotosho had restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from accepting reports on the outcome of any PDP national convention without following due legal process and INEC’s guidelines and regulations.
“PDP, as the leading opposition party in Nigeria committed to the rule of law, is unwavering in its determination to uphold, defend, and promote democratic processes in our country,” Ologunagba said.
