By Michael Ofulue Osogbo
The Federal High Court in Abuja, on Friday, stopped the planned National Convention of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), slated to hold in Ibadan, Oyo State, in November, citing the party’s failure to conduct valid congresses in 14 states.
In a landmark judgement delivered by Justice James Omotosho, the court held that the PDP failed to comply with relevant conditions and laws for the conduct of the convention.
The court ruled in favour of the plaintiffs — Austin Nwachukwu (Imo PDP Chairman), Amah Nnanna (Abia PDP Chairman), and Turnah George (South-South PDP Secretary) — who argued that the PDP breached its constitution and the Electoral Act by not holding mandatory ward, local government and state congresses before announcing the convention.
Justice Omotosho held that the notice of convention issued by the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) was invalid under Article 47 of the PDP Constitution and Section 85 of the Electoral Act, both of which require properly conducted and INEC-monitored congresses as a precondition for any national convention.
“Failure to conduct valid congresses at the foundational levels renders any subsequent national exercise a nullity,” the court ruled.
The decision effectively restrains the PDP’s Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, and other members of the NWC from proceeding with preparations for the convention pending further notice.
In a related development, Justice Peter Lifu, presiding over another division of the Federal High Court in Abuja, directed both the PDP and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to show cause within 72 hours, why the party allegedly denied former Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido, access to nomination forms to contest for the national chairmanship position.
The case, filed under Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/2299/2025, accuses the party leadership of deliberate exclusion and violation of internal democracy. While Justice Lifu did not issue a restraining order against the convention, his ruling leaves the door open for a possible injunction after the November 6 hearing.
The twin judgements have plunged the PDP into fresh turmoil, with rival factions exchanging blame over the party’s deepening internal crisis.
The anti-Damagum bloc, largely composed of party chairmen from the South-East and South-South zones, hailed the verdict as a “victory for internal democracy” and accused the acting chairman of running the party “in flagrant disregard of its constitution.”
Conversely, Damagum’s loyalists dismissed the ruling as a “judicial ambush,” vowing to appeal immediately.
“This is a temporary setback. We will appeal and ensure the convention holds as scheduled,” a senior NWC member said.
Political analysts warn that the judgement could further weaken the PDP ahead of the 2027 general elections, as the party continues to grapple with leadership tussles and regional power struggles.
“This ruling exposes the deep constitutional rot within the PDP and underscores its failure to reform its internal processes. . Unless the party unites quickly, it risks entering 2027 in disarray,” a political analyst in Abuja said.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has yet to issue an official statement on the ruling as of press time.
With multiple court orders, pending appeals, and widening factional cracks, the once-dominant opposition party now faces one of its toughest legal and political tests since returning to opposition in 2015.