The Federal High Court in Abuja will on October 31, 2025, deliver judgment in a suit seeking to halt the planned National Convention of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over alleged breaches of the party’s constitution and the Electoral Act.
Justice James Omotosho fixed the date on Tuesday after hearing final arguments from lawyers representing both the plaintiffs and the defendants.
The suit was filed by three senior PDP officials — Hon. Austin Nwachukwu (Imo Chairman), Hon. Amah Abraham Nnanna (Abia Chairman), and Turnah Alabh George (South-South Secretary) — who are challenging the legality of the party’s forthcoming convention slated for November 15–16 in Ibadan, Oyo State.
They claim that the PDP National Working Committee (NWC) and National Executive Committee (NEC) violated the party’s constitution by failing to conduct valid congresses in 14 states before scheduling the national convention where new officers are expected to emerge.
The nine defendants in the case include the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the PDP, Amb. Umar Iliya Damagum (Acting National Chairman), Sen. Samuel Anyanwu (National Secretary), Umar Bature (National Organizing Secretary), Ali Odefa, Emmanuel Ogidi, the NWC, and the NEC.
Reaffirming his earlier order, Justice Omotosho warned all parties to maintain the status quo pending judgment, cautioning that the court would nullify any step taken in defiance of its directive.
Arguing for the plaintiffs, Joseph Daudu, SAN, urged the court not to dismiss the case as an internal party matter. He contended that the plaintiffs are seeking to enforce compliance with the 1999 Constitution, the Electoral Act 2022, and the PDP Constitution, all of which, he said, require INEC’s supervision of valid congresses.
However, Paul Erokoro, SAN, representing Acting Chairman Damagum, urged the court to decline jurisdiction, insisting that the conduct of congresses and conventions falls strictly within the party’s internal domain.
Supporting his position, Eyitayo Jegede, SAN, appearing for the NWC and NEC, argued that courts cannot interfere in the internal workings of political parties.
After taking arguments from all parties, Justice Omotosho reserved judgment until October 31.
If the court rules in favour of the plaintiffs, it could disrupt the PDP’s preparations for the Ibadan convention, where the party hopes to elect new national leaders ahead of the 2027 general elections.
