PDP vows to fight back after Court stops Ibadan convention

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has vowed to challenge the judgment of the Federal High Court in Abuja which restrained it from holding its scheduled National Convention in Ibadan, Oyo State, on November 15 and 16.

In a statement issued on Friday, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, described the judgment as “an assault on Nigeria’s democratic process and the internal democracy of political parties.”

Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, issued an order on Friday suspending the planned convention “until the party complies with the provisions of its constitution, the 1999 Constitution, and the Electoral Act 2022.”

The ruling followed a suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2120/2025, filed by three aggrieved PDP members, Austin Nwachukwu (Imo PDP Chairman), Amah Abraham Nnanna (Abia PDP Chairman), and Turnah Alabh George (PDP South-South Secretary).

The plaintiffs contended that the PDP failed to conduct valid state congresses in at least 14 states before the National Working Committee (NWC) and National Executive Committee (NEC) issued notice for the national convention.

They urged the court to stop the convention, arguing that it breached both the PDP’s constitution and the Electoral Act.

Justice Omotosho held that the party failed to issue the mandatory 21-day notice to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), a requirement meant to enable proper oversight of the convention process.

He therefore ordered the immediate suspension of the event, directing the party to “address all irregularities and comply with the law before organising any future convention.”

Tension Deepens Within PDP

The court’s decision has further heightened internal tensions within the PDP, especially between supporters of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and those loyal to the Acting National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Iliya Damagum.

Disputes over the South-South zonal leadership, control of party structures in Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Plateau, and disagreements about micro-zoning arrangements for the convention have continued to divide the party.

PDP Rejects Ruling, Heads to Appeal Court

Reacting to the development, Ologunagba said the party had directed its legal team to immediately appeal the ruling, maintaining that it remains focused on its preparation for the convention.

“The judgment does not vitiate our ability to proceed with processes and activities towards the National Convention,” Ologunagba said.

He added, “The PDP is appalled by the judgment of the Federal High Court Abuja presided over by Hon. Justice Kolawole Omotosho today, describing it as an assault on Nigeria’s democratic process.”

Citing a recent Supreme Court judgment which reaffirmed the authority of political parties to regulate their internal affairs, Ologunagba stressed that the PDP would continue to defend multi-party democracy.

“The PDP, as the leading opposition party committed to the rule of law, has directed its lawyers to take immediate action to appeal this judgment in our unwavering determination to uphold, defend, and promote multi-party democracy in our country,” he added.