The Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed October 31 for judgment in a suit filed by three aggrieved members of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) seeking to halt the party’s upcoming 2025 National Convention scheduled for November 15 and 16 in Ibadan, Oyo State.
Justice James Omotosho fixed the date on Tuesday after hearing final arguments from all parties involved in the suit, which challenges the legality of the convention on the grounds of alleged violations of the party’s constitution.
The plaintiffs, Austin Nwachukwu, Chairman of the Imo State PDP; Amah Abraham Nnanna, Chairman of the Abia State PDP; and Turnah Alabh George, Secretary of the PDP South-South Zone — filed the case insisting that the planned convention contravenes the PDP’s internal rules and the Electoral Act 2022.
The nine defendants in the suit include the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the PDP, the party’s 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.
During Tuesday’s proceedings, Justice Omotosho reaffirmed his earlier order maintaining the status quo and warned that none of the parties should take any action that could undermine the court’s authority before judgment is delivered. The judge cautioned that any step taken in defiance of the court’s directive could be declared null and void.
Representing the plaintiffs, Joseph Daudu (SAN) argued that the case should not be dismissed as an internal party matter, but rather as a constitutional issue concerning compliance with the 1999 Constitution, the Electoral Act, and the PDP Constitution. He told the court that the plaintiffs’ main grievance was that no valid congresses were held in 14 states before the party’s national organs issued the notice for the convention.
Daudu maintained that under the law, the INEC is required to monitor party congresses to validate their authenticity before any national convention can be held.
However, counsel for the acting National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Damagum, Paul Erokoro (SAN), urged the court to decline jurisdiction, arguing that the issues raised fall strictly within the internal affairs of the party. He was supported by Eyitayo Jegede (SAN), representing the PDP’s NWC and NEC, who also maintained that the court has no authority to interfere in the internal management of political parties.
Justice Omotosho reserved judgment for October 31, after which the court is expected to determine whether the planned PDP National Convention can proceed as scheduled or be suspended pending compliance with the party’s constitutional provisions.
