Category: Politics

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has instructed its members nationwide to continue preparations for its national convention despite a Federal High Court order stopping the exercise. The party also announced plans to challenge the ruling at the Court of Appeal. In a statement on Friday, the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, condemned the judgment delivered by Justice James Omotosho of the Abuja Division, describing it as an attack on the party’s internal democracy and an attempt to stifle opposition in Nigeria. Justice Omotosho had earlier ruled that the PDP failed to comply with the provisions of its constitution and the Electoral Act before scheduling its convention for November 15 and 16 in Ibadan, Oyo State. He also faulted the party for not conducting valid state congresses in several states and for failing to issue the mandatory 21-day notice to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as required by law. The ruling came after three PDP officials — Austin Nwachukwu (Imo PDP Chairman), Amah Abraham Nnanna (Abia PDP Chairman), and Turnah Alabh George (PDP Secretary, South-South) — filed a suit challenging the legality of the planned convention. The plaintiffs argued that the process violated both the PDP constitution and the Electoral Act, urging the court to restrain the party and INEC from proceeding until proper procedures were followed. In his decision, Justice Omotosho granted their request and ordered that the scheduled convention be suspended until the PDP rectifies all procedural and constitutional irregularities. Responding, Ologunagba maintained that the ruling would not derail the party’s activities, citing a recent Supreme Court judgment which reaffirmed that political parties have the constitutional right to manage their internal affairs. “The Peoples Democratic Party is appalled by the judgment of the Federal High Court, Abuja, which we consider an assault on our democratic process,” Ologunagba said. “However, this does not stop us from proceeding with our preparations for the National Convention to elect new national officers.” He disclosed that the party’s legal team has been directed to immediately appeal the ruling, stressing the PDP’s resolve to uphold and defend multi-party democracy in Nigeria. “Our lawyers have been instructed to file an appeal without delay,” he added. “We urge all our members, chapters, and organs to remain focused and steadfast as we continue preparations for the National Convention.”

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has barred the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising the outcome of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) national convention scheduled for November 15 and 16 in Ibadan, Oyo State. Justice James Omotosho, in a ruling delivered on Friday, held that the PDP failed to comply with the provisions of its constitution and other relevant laws guiding the conduct of conventions. According to the judge, evidence presented by INEC and other respondents revealed that congresses were not conducted in several states, contrary to the legal requirements for holding a national convention. He further ruled that any document signed solely by the PDP National Chairman without the endorsement of the National Secretary was invalid, describing such actions as a breach of the law. Justice Omotosho also faulted the party for failing to issue the mandatory 21-day notice to INEC before holding its meetings and congresses, which would have allowed the commission to monitor the process. Consequently, the court restrained INEC from receiving, publishing, or recognising any results from the proposed Ibadan convention until the PDP complies fully with legal and constitutional procedures. The ruling followed a suit filed by three aggrieved PDP members — Austin Nwachukwu (Imo PDP Chairman), Hon. Amah Abraham Nnanna (Abia PDP Chairman), and Turnah Alabh George (PDP Secretary, South-South) — who accused the party’s National Chairman of mishandling its affairs amid the ongoing leadership crisis.