The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has dismissed the Federal High Court’s judgment stopping its planned national convention in Ibadan, Oyo State, declaring that preparations for the exercise will continue as scheduled.
PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, in a statement issued on Thursday, described the ruling as “an assault on Nigeria’s democratic process”, insisting that the opposition party remains legally empowered to proceed with its internal arrangements ahead of the convention.
The reaction followed the decision of Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, who on Friday barred the PDP from holding its convention slated for November 15 and 16, 2025, citing violations of both the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) guidelines, and the PDP constitution.
In his judgment, Justice Omotosho ruled that the party failed to conduct valid state congresses before issuing a notice for the convention. He also faulted the PDP for failing to send the mandatory 21-day notice to INEC, noting that this omission deprived the electoral body of its statutory oversight role.
The judge further declared that official notices and correspondence signed by the party’s national chairman without the national secretary’s co-signature were “invalid” and a “breach of the law.” Consequently, he ordered that INEC must not receive, publish, or recognise any outcome from the planned convention until the PDP fulfills all legal and constitutional requirements.
However, in its response, Ologunagba maintained that the ruling does not invalidate the PDP’s internal preparations, stressing that the Supreme Court had recently reaffirmed the “supremacy of political parties in managing their internal affairs.”
“However, the PDP states that the judgement of the court does not vitiate its ability to proceed with the processes and activities towards the National Convention to elect new National Officers to pilot the affairs of the Party for the next four years,” Ologunagba said.
He urged members, party organs, and state chapters to remain united and focused, reiterating that the PDP will not be distracted from its democratic responsibilities.
“The PDP therefore charges its members, chapters and organs to remain steadfast and focused on preparations towards the holding of the National Convention of our party,” he said.
Ologunagba also confirmed that the party had directed its legal team to immediately appeal the judgment, describing the court’s decision as a setback to Nigeria’s democratic development.
“Nevertheless, the PDP, as the leading opposition party in Nigeria, committed to the rule of law, has accordingly directed its lawyers to take immediate action to appeal this judgement in our unwavering determination to uphold, defend and promote multi-party democracy in our country,” he stated.
The PDP’s planned convention in Ibadan is expected to produce new national officers to lead the party’s affairs for the next four years.
