PDP Kicks Against Court Order Halting Convention, Moves to Appeal Ruling

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has directed its members across the country to intensify preparations for its forthcoming national convention, despite a court ruling temporarily stopping the exercise. The party also announced plans to challenge the judgment at the Court of Appeal.

In a statement issued on Friday, the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, described the Federal High Court’s decision as a “direct assault on the party’s internal democracy.”

The opposition party had scheduled its National Elective Convention for November 15 and 16 in Ibadan, Oyo State, but internal disagreements—particularly among supporters of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and the Acting National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Iliya Damagum—have deepened tensions within the PDP.

The disputes reportedly revolve around the South-South zonal leadership, control of party structures in Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Plateau, and other states, as well as micro-zoning arrangements for elective positions at the upcoming convention.

These internal wranglings eventually led to a lawsuit seeking to halt the event.

On Friday, Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja issued an order stopping the PDP from proceeding with the convention until further notice. The ruling followed a suit filed by three aggrieved party members — Austin Nwachukwu (Imo PDP Chairman), Amah Abraham Nnanna (Abia PDP Chairman), and Turnah Alabh George (South-South PDP Secretary).

The plaintiffs argued that the planned convention contravened the PDP constitution and the Electoral Act 2022, citing the party’s failure to conduct valid state congresses in 14 states and its neglect to issue the mandatory 21-day notice required by law for INEC oversight.

Justice Omotosho held that the PDP did not comply with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution, INEC guidelines, and its own internal rules, thereby ordering an immediate suspension of the convention until the party rectifies the identified irregularities.

Reacting to the judgment, Ologunagba expressed the party’s displeasure, noting that the ruling undermines Nigeria’s democratic process. He cited a recent Supreme Court decision affirming the autonomy of political parties in managing their internal affairs.

“The Peoples Democratic Party is appalled by the judgment of the Federal High Court, describing it as an assault on democracy. Nonetheless, this does not prevent us from continuing our preparations for the National Convention to elect new national officers,” Ologunagba stated.

He added that the party’s legal team had been directed to immediately file an appeal, reiterating the PDP’s resolve to defend internal democracy and uphold the rule of law.

“The PDP urges all members, chapters, and organs of the party to remain steadfast and focused on preparations for the National Convention. As the leading opposition party, we remain committed to promoting democratic governance and protecting multi-party democracy in Nigeria,” the statement concluded.