The Federal High Court in Abuja has stopped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from holding its planned 2025 National Convention, ruling that the opposition party must first comply with its constitution, the Electoral Act, and other statutory regulations before proceeding.
Justice James Omotosho, delivering judgment on Friday, restrained both the PDP and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from taking any action that would give effect to a convention conducted outside legal and procedural frameworks.
“INEC is not entitled to give effect to a convention not conducted in accordance with the Constitution, Electoral Act, and the guidelines and regulations of the political party,” the judge held.
The ruling came after three aggrieved PDP members filed a suit seeking to halt the convention, which had been scheduled for November 15 and 16, 2025, in Ibadan, Oyo State, where new national officers were expected to be elected.
The nine defendants in the case included INEC, the PDP, National Secretary Samuel Anyanwu, National Organising Secretary Umar Bature, the National Working Committee (NWC), the National Executive Committee (NEC), Ambassador Umar Iliya Damagum, Ali Odefa, and Emmanuel Ogidi.
In a swift response, the PDP rejected the court verdict, insisting that the judgment does not invalidate its preparations for the convention.
Debo Ologunagba, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, described the ruling as “an assault on Nigeria’s democratic process” and said the PDP had directed its legal team to appeal immediately.
“The judgment of the court does not vitiate our ability to proceed with processes and activities toward the National Convention to elect new national officers,” Ologunagba said in a statement.
He added that the party remained guided by its constitution and by recent Supreme Court pronouncements affirming the autonomy of political parties in managing internal affairs.
“The PDP charges its members, chapters, and organs to remain steadfast and focused on preparations toward the convention.
“As a leading opposition party committed to the rule of law, we have directed our lawyers to appeal this judgment, ” he said.
The halted convention had been expected to usher in new national officers to lead the PDP for the next four years.
However, internal divisions over the party’s leadership structure and complaints about alleged violations of internal procedures led to the legal challenge.
Friday’s ruling adds to the mounting tensions within the PDP, which is also contending with growing calls for reform from senior figures, including FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, who hailed the court’s decision as a step toward ending impunity in the party.
