The Federal High Court in Abuja has issued an order stopping the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from proceeding with its scheduled national convention in Ibadan on November 15 and 16, citing multiple violations of the Electoral Act and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) guidelines.
In a ruling delivered on Friday, Justice James Omotosho held that the opposition party failed to meet the legal and procedural conditions required for holding a valid convention. He ruled that the PDP must first establish a proper delegate election process before convening the event.
According to the judge, the party's congresses to elect delegates were either not held in several states or were conducted without proper authorization. Where congresses did occur, the notices were reportedly signed solely by the national chairman without the endorsement of the national secretary -- a breach of INEC regulations and statutory requirements under the Electoral Act.
Justice Omotosho further nullified submissions made by PDP lawyers Chris Uche and Eyitayo Jegede, stating that their appointments were invalid because they were not approved by the party's National Legal Adviser, as required by the PDP constitution.
ALSO READ Omoyele Sowore opens up on how he funds his activism and human rights campaigns
"The issue before this court is not about the internal affairs of the PDP but about compliance with electoral laws and democratic procedures," the judge said, emphasizing that the court's decision was aimed at ensuring fairness and transparency in the party's leadership process.
He added that the PDP's failure to issue valid postponement notices for congresses in affected states amounted to an arbitrary and unlawful process. Consequently, the court restrained INEC from recognizing any results emanating from improperly conducted congresses and ordered the PDP to issue fresh notices -- jointly signed by the national chairman and secretary -- before reconvening.
With this ruling, the PDP's long-awaited national convention remains suspended, forcing the party to return to the drawing board to realign its internal processes with electoral laws before it can gather its delegates again.
Latest Updates:Omoyele Sowore opens up on how he funds his activism and human rights campaigns Human rights activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, has shed light on how he personally sustains his activism...FG begins disbursement of Tertiary Institution Staff Support Fund (TISSF) The Federal Government has commenced the disbursement of the Tertiary Institution Staff Support Fund (TISSF), a flagship welfare initiative under...Prophet Aliyu Barnabas apologizes after predicting Opay crash A prophecy by Benue-based cleric, Prophet Aliyu Barnabas, claiming that fintech giant OPay would collapse by January 2026, has led...Leaked video scandal hits UK-based socialite Omoge Saida A private video allegedly featuring UK-based Nigerian socialite and entrepreneur Omoge Saida, whose real name is Saidat Aralamo Ashabi Balogun,...Nigeria plans establishment of world-class 'medical city' - health minister Nigeria's Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, has announced plans by the Federal Government to...Air Peace CEO hails Tinubu's aviation reforms, criticizes... Air Peace Chairman and CEO, Allen Onyema, has commended President Bola Tinubu's administration for revitalizing Nigeria's aviation industry, while cautioning...