Abuja, Nigeria — The Federal High Court in Abuja has issued an order halting the planned national convention of Nigeria’s main opposition, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), just weeks before the event was scheduled to take place in Ibadan, Oyo State.
Justice James Omotosho ruled on Friday that the PDP must stop all preparations for the November 15 and 16 convention until it fully complies with the statutory requirements of its own constitution, the Nigerian Constitution, and the Electoral Act.
The suit (FHC/ABJ/CS/2120/2025) was filed by three aggrieved party members, including the PDP chairmen of Imo and Abia states, who argued that the convention—where new national officers were expected to be elected—violated multiple internal and national laws.
Failure to Conduct Valid Congresses
Justice Omotosho, in his judgment, held that the evidence presented demonstrated the party’s failure to adhere to legal guidelines.
The court found that the PDP did not conduct valid state congresses before moving forward with the national convention. The judge consequently directed the PDP “to go back and put its house in order” by complying with all legal requirements.
Specifically, the court ordered the PDP to issue the mandatory 21-day statutory notice to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) before proceeding with any proposed convention.
Justice Omotosho also restrained INEC from accepting or recognizing the outcome of any PDP national convention that fails to comply with due process, the law, and the electoral body’s own regulations. The court dismissed preliminary objections from the defendants that argued the matter was merely an internal affair of the party, asserting the court’s jurisdiction over compliance with electoral laws.
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