BREAKING: Court stops 2025 PDP National Convention

Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja has halted the planned 2025 National Convention of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), pending the party’s full compliance with its constitution, statutory requirements, and the provisions of the Electoral Act.

Delivering judgment in a suit filed by three aggrieved members of the PDP, Justice Omotosho also restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from accepting or recognizing the outcome of any PDP national convention not conducted in accordance with due process, the party’s constitution, and the Electoral Act.

The court held that INEC cannot give effect to any convention conducted outside the provisions of the law or the internal guidelines and regulations of political parties.

The plaintiffs had approached the court to stop the PDP’s proposed national convention scheduled for November 15 and 16, 2025, in Ibadan, Oyo State — an event expected to produce new national officers of the party. They argued that the process leading to the convention breached the party’s constitution.

The defendants in the suit include the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), National Secretary Samuel Anyanwu, National Organizing Secretary Umar Bature, the party’s National Working Committee (NWC), National Executive Committee (NEC), Acting National Chairman Ambassador Umar Iliya Damagum, Ali Odefa, and Emmanuel Ogidi.