The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, has stopped the planned 2025 National Convention of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) scheduled for November 15 and 16 in Ibadan, Oyo State.
Justice James Omotosho issued the order on Friday, ruling that the convention cannot proceed until the party fully complies with the provisions of its Constitution and the Electoral Act.
The judgment followed a suit filed by three aggrieved members of the PDP who alleged that the party failed to adhere to due process in the buildup to the convention, where new national officers were to be elected.
In his ruling, Justice Omotosho also restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from accepting or giving effect to any report or outcome of a PDP convention not conducted in line with the Constitution, the Electoral Act, and the internal regulations of the party.
The judge held that INEC is duty-bound to ensure that any political party activity, including conventions, complies with all statutory and constitutional requirements before it can be recognized.
The nine defendants in the suit include INEC, the PDP, National Secretary Samuel Anyanwu, National Organizing Secretary Umar Bature, the National Working Committee (NWC), the National Executive Committee (NEC), Acting National Chairman Ambassador Umar Iliya Damagum, Ali Odefa, and Emmanuel Ogidi.