The Federal High Court in Abuja has reaffirmed its earlier order requiring all parties to maintain the status quo concerning the coming Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) National Convention scheduled for November 15 and 16, 2025, in Ibadan, Oyo State.
Justice James Omotosho, the presiding court, ruled on Thursday that the prior order is still in effect and that no party may violate it while the substantive complaint is being decided.
Join our WhatsApp community
Any attempt to undermine the court’s authority or make its final ruling ineffectual will result in serious consequences, Justice Omotosho warned.
The warning came after Chief Chris Uche (SAN), the PDP’s lawyer, complained to the court that his client was constrained by the current ruling and requested an accelerated hearing.
Responding, the judge reassured all parties that judgment in the case would be delivered before the end of October, emphasizing that no party would be permitted to employ delay tactics.
“You and I, as lawyers and ministers in the temple of justice, know that once a suit has been filed and parties have been served, the law is that no further step should be taken concerning the subject matter. The court must not be overreached,” Omotosho said.
He added,“Where any party violates this principle, the court has the power to issue consequential orders nullifying such acts. Let us all respect the law; it is in our collective interest. I assure you that judgment will be delivered before the end of October, and copies will be made available immediately.”
Three disgruntled PDP members filed an original summons against the Independent National Electoral Commission and eight other parties, and the court scheduled a definitive hearing for Monday, October 20.
Austin Nwachukwu, the chairman of the Imo PDP, Amah Abraham Nnanna, the chairman of the Abia PDP, and Turnah George, the South-South PDP secretary, are the plaintiffs.
They are attempting to halt the party’s planned national convention, which is set to take place in Ibadan, Oyo State, on November 15 and 16, 2025, in order to elect new national officers.
Read Also: 3 more PDP governors ready to dump party soon- Fayose reveals
Defendants listed in the suit are INEC, the PDP, Senator Samuel Anyanwu (National Secretary), Umar Bature (National Organising Secretary), the National Working Committee (NWC), and the National Executive Committee of the party.
They argue that any notification given to INEC is void since the party did not organise the necessary congresses to elect delegates for the proposed convention.
Additionally, the plaintiffs requested that the court prohibit INEC from acknowledging or implementing any notice or result of the PDP convention unless it is carried out in complete accordance with the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the Electoral Act 2022, and INEC’s 2022 Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties.
Join our WhatsApp community
Additionally, they want orders prohibiting the PDP and its representatives from calling any meetings of the National Executive Committee, National Caucus, or Working Committee without giving the National Secretary adequate notice.
Following this, Justice Omotosho directed all parties to exchange their processes by October 17 to ensure a smooth hearing.
