The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has expressed deep shock over Thursday’s court ruling stopping it from holding its much-anticipated national convention in Ibadan, Oyo State, on November 15 and 16. The opposition party described the decision as a grave assault on Nigeria’s democratic process and vowed to appeal immediately.
The Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice James Omotosho, had restrained the PDP from proceeding with the convention, citing failure to meet statutory conditions and internal procedural violations. But the party insists the judgment does not invalidate its preparations or its resolve to elect new national officers.
In a late-night statement signed by the National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, the PDP reaffirmed that the ruling does not “vitiate its ability to proceed with the processes and activities” ahead of the convention. The statement, titled “PDP Planned National Convention Not Vitiated by Court,” accused the court of undermining democratic principles.
“The Peoples Democratic Party is appalled by the judgment of the Federal High Court, describing it as an assault on Nigeria’s democratic process. Nevertheless, our lawyers have been directed to file an appeal immediately,” the statement read.
Ologunagba cited a recent Supreme Court ruling affirming that political parties have the constitutional right to manage their internal affairs. He urged members and party organs nationwide to remain steadfast, insisting that “delay is not denial.”
Acting National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Iliya Damagum, dismissed the ruling as the handiwork of saboteurs bent on destabilizing the PDP. He vowed that internal enemies “would not succeed in trading the party’s unity for selfish ambition.”
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Justice Omotosho ruled that the PDP failed to comply with essential legal provisions before fixing dates for the convention. He noted that the party did not conduct valid state congresses in at least 14 states, rendering the list of delegates illegitimate.
The plaintiffs, Hon. Austin Nwachukwu (Imo PDP Chairman), Hon. Amah Abraham Nnanna (Abia PDP Chairman), and Turnah Alabh George (South-South PDP Secretary) argued that the PDP violated its constitution, the Electoral Act, and Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) guidelines.
In the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2120/2025, they asked the court to stop the convention until all pending congresses were held and proper notices served on INEC. Justice Omotosho agreed, ruling that “it is impossible for the PDP to hold a valid convention when the delegates themselves were not lawfully produced.”
He further held that all notices for the planned convention were invalid since they were signed only by the National Chairman, excluding the National Secretary, in violation of the party’s constitution.
Consequently, the court directed the PDP to conduct valid state congresses, issue fresh 21-day notices to INEC, and put its internal structures in order before scheduling another national convention.
Despite the setback, the PDP leadership maintains that the ruling will not derail its democratic process. “Our commitment to fairness, justice, and the rule of law remains unshaken,” Ologunagba assured.
The judgment has intensified internal debate within the PDP, with loyalists of Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and the party’s national leadership trading blame over the crisis. However, many insiders see the court’s intervention as a wake-up call to restore order within Nigeria’s main opposition party.
