The Federal High Court in Abuja has stopped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from going ahead with its planned 2025 National Convention scheduled for November 15th-16th in Ibadan, Oyo State.
Delivering the judgment, Justice James Omotosho held that the PDP did not comply with the legal requirements governing party conventions as stipulated in the Nigerian Constitution, the Electoral Act 2022, and the party’s own constitution. The court found that congresses were not conducted in several states across Nigeria as required by law, rendering the party’s preparations for the convention invalid.
Crucially, the court noted the PDP’s failure to issue the mandatory 21-day notice of meetings to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), hindering INEC’s monitoring role as required by law. The signing of notices and correspondences related to the convention by the National Chairman without the National Secretary was also declared unlawful.
In light of these breaches, the court restrained INEC from recognizing, receiving, or publishing the outcome of the convention until the PDP has complied with the necessary legal requirements.
This ruling follows a suit filed by three aggrieved PDP members who challenged the legality of the convention on grounds of non-compliance with internal party rules and the national legal framework.
The judgment represents a significant setback for the PDP as it seeks to elect its National Chairman and other national executives at this crucial gathering in preparation for upcoming general elections. The party has been advised to regularize its processes before proceeding with the convention.
