A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Friday, October 31, 2025, halted the scheduled November National Convention of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), from going ahead.
The court also restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognizing the outcome of the PDP’s convention schedule to hold in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
The court presided over by Justice James Omotosho while delivering judgement in the suit challenging the legality of the convention, held that the PDP failed to comply with relevant provisions, conditions and laws for the conduct of such conventions and therefore ordered the stoppage of the National convention.
Justice Omotosho also held that evidence from the National Independence Electoral Commission and some of the respondents showed that Congresses were not held in some states of the federation which is a breach of the law.
The court also held that the signing of notices and correspondence of the PDP by its National Chairman without the National Secretary, violated the law and consequently made such notices and correspondences a nullity.
Justice Omotosho particularly noted 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.
The court therefore held that the failure of the Party to comply with the law has put the planned convention in jeopardy, and therefore directed the PDP to do the necessary before going ahead with its National Convention.
Justice Omotosho specifically restrained INEC from receiving, publishing or recognizing the outcome of the PDP National convention scheduled for Ibadan, until the law has been complied with.
