PDP national convention court ruling
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has responded firmly to a recent ruling by a Federal High Court in Abuja, stating that the judgment will not derail its planned national convention scheduled for November 15 and 16, 2025, in Ibadan, Oyo State. The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, issued a statement saying the court’s decision does not invalidate the party’s process for electing new national officers.
In the ruling, presided over by James Kolawole Omotosho, the court stated that the PDP failed to fulfil statutory requirements such as conducting valid state congresses in all states, issuing proper notices signed by both the National Chairman and National Secretary, and providing the required 21-day notice to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for monitoring. The judge held that INEC should refuse to recognise any outcome from the convention until the party complies with the law.
The PDP described the court’s judgment as an “assault on Nigeria’s democratic process.” The party cited a recent Supreme Court decision emphasising the supremacy of a political party’s internal affairs and leadership decisions, using this as part of its rationale for continuing with convention preparations. The party also announced that it has instructed its lawyers to appeal the ruling as it proceeds with its planned timeline.
Despite the court’s directive, the PDP emphasised that its internal mechanisms and organisational processes will continue unabated. The party asked its chapters and members to remain focused and steadfast in contributing to the upcoming convention. Meanwhile, although some senior members and factions within the party welcomed the court ruling as a corrective measure for stronger internal democracy, the party’s official position remains to move ahead with the convention as scheduled.
