…Bars INEC from recognizing outcome of PDP Planned Convention
The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Friday stopped People’s Democratic Party ,PDP, planned National Convention for Ibadan Oyo State Capital on Saturday, November 15, 16, 2025 for breaches of provisions of the Electoral Act and PDP Constitution.
The Court after stopping the scheduled National Convention restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognizing the outcome of the forthcoming National Convention of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), if it want ahead to hold it.
Justice James Omotosho issued the order on Friday, while delivering judgment in a suit that challenged the legality of the processes leading to the convention.
The judge predicated the decision on the grounds that the PDP failed to comply with relevant provisions of Electoral Act, PDP laws and Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC’s guidelines for the conduct of Wards Congresses, Local Government Congresses and National Conventions.
The judge held that evidence from the electoral umpire and some of the respondents showed that congresses were not held in some states of the federation in breach of the law.
In addition, the court held that the signing of notices and correspondence of the PDP by its National Chairman without the National Secretary, was in violation of the law and consequently made such notices and correspondences a nullity.
Besides, Omotosho held that the PDP failed to issue the mandatory 21 days notice of meetings and congresses to enable INEC carry out its mandatory duty of monitoring such meetings and congresses.
Omotosho further held that the failure of the PDP to comply with the law has put the planned convention in jeopardy, and subsequently advised the PDP to do the necessary before going ahead with the election.
He therefore restrained INEC from receiving, publishing or recognizing the outcome of the convention slated for Ibadan, until the law has been complied with.
Before the judge delivered the judgement on the substantive matter , he had ruled on preliminary objections and he held that the court had jurisdiction to entertain the suit .
Justice Omotosho ruled that the subject matters before the court was not an internal affair of the political party but borders on breaches of the PDP Constitution, the Electoral Act and INEC regulations.
The judge also ruled on another objection brought by the party National Legal Adviser Kamaldeen Adeyemi Ajibade ,SAN ,on legal representation and held that by PDP Constitution it was cleared that only the National Legal Adviser has the legal right to appoint lawyers to represent PDP.
Justice Omotosho, therefore, expunged all the submission made by lawyers appointed by the party National Chairmanof the party. He equally expunged from the record all the submissions made by the 8 and 9 respondents to the suit for the 8 respondent having being expelled from the party and the 9 respondent being unnecessary party .