The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has instructed its members nationwide to continue preparations for its upcoming national convention, despite a court ruling halting the exercise.
The party also announced plans to challenge the judgment at the Court of Appeal. In a statement issued on Friday by its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, the PDP described the decision of the Federal High Court in Abuja as a “direct assault on internal democracy.”
The court, presided over by Justice James Omotosho, had earlier restrained the party from proceeding with its national convention slated for November 15 and 16 in Ibadan, Oyo State. The ruling followed a suit filed by three aggrieved PDP officials — Austin Nwachukwu (Imo PDP Chairman), Amah Abraham Nnanna (Abia PDP Chairman), and Turnah Alabh George (PDP Secretary, South-South).
The plaintiffs argued that no valid congresses were conducted in 14 states before the National Working Committee (NWC) and National Executive Committee (NEC) issued notice for the convention, alleging multiple breaches of the party’s constitution and the Electoral Act, 2022.
Justice Omotosho, in his ruling, held that the PDP failed to meet key constitutional and procedural requirements, including the mandatory 21-day notice to INEC before holding meetings and congresses. He also noted that the party did not conduct proper state congresses before scheduling its national convention, rendering the process invalid.
Consequently, the court barred the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising or publishing any results from the planned Ibadan convention until the PDP complies fully with the law.
Reacting to the development, Ologunagba insisted that the ruling would not derail the party’s preparations. He cited a recent Supreme Court judgment affirming that political parties have the constitutional right to manage their internal affairs without undue interference.
“The Peoples Democratic Party is appalled by the judgment of the Federal High Court, Abuja, describing it as an assault on Nigeria’s democratic process,” Ologunagba said. “However, the ruling does not affect our readiness to continue preparations toward the National Convention to elect new national officers.”
He added that the PDP’s legal team has been directed to immediately appeal the ruling, reaffirming the party’s commitment to upholding democracy and the rule of law.
“The PDP, as the leading opposition party in Nigeria, remains determined to defend and promote multi-party democracy,” he said. “We urge all our members, chapters, and organs to remain focused and steadfast in their preparations for the forthcoming convention.”
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