Court Stops PDP Convention Over Breach of Electoral Rules

The Federal High Court in Abuja has stopped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from holding its 2025 national convention, ruling that the party failed to comply with legal and constitutional requirements guiding such events.

The court’s decision followed a case filed by three PDP officials — Imo State Chairman Austin Nwachukwu, Abia State Chairman Amah Abraham Nnanna, and South-South Secretary Turnah Alabh George — who accused the party of breaching electoral laws and internal procedures while preparing for the convention.

The convention, which was scheduled to take place on November 15 and 16, 2025, in Ibadan, Oyo State, was meant to elect new national officers. However, the court ruled that the event cannot hold until the PDP fully complies with its constitution, the Electoral Act, and other relevant laws.

In his judgment, the presiding judge also directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) not to recognize or accept any report, document, or outcome from a PDP convention conducted without adherence to legal and constitutional standards.

The case listed nine defendants, including INEC, the PDP, its National Secretary Samuel Anyanwu, National Organising Secretary Umar Bature, the National Working Committee, and the National Executive Committee.

The court stated that INEC cannot validate or act upon any convention that does not meet the required legal standards and that political parties must strictly follow their internal rules and the laws of the country when conducting internal elections.

The judgment effectively puts the planned PDP convention on hold until the party rectifies the issues raised in the suit. Further details on the ruling are expected to be released in the coming days.