The leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has convened an emergency meeting following Friday’s judgment of the Federal High Court in Abuja, which restrained the party from holding its proposed national convention slated for November 15 and 16 in Ibadan, Oyo State.
A member of the National Working Committee (NWC), who spoke under the condition of anonymity, confirmed that the meeting would be held today at the party’s national secretariat, Wadata Plaza, Abuja.
“The NWC has summoned an emergency session to review the implications of the judgment and determine the next line of action. The party will take a decisive stance to safeguard its integrity and future,” the official disclosed.
The court order, delivered by Justice James Omotosho, followed a suit filed by three aggrieved party members — Austin Nwachukwu (Imo PDP Chairman), Amah Nnanna (Abia PDP Chairman), and Turnah George (South-South Zonal Secretary) — who alleged that the PDP failed to conduct valid state congresses and did not comply with the mandatory 21-day notice to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) before announcing the convention.
In his ruling, Justice Omotosho held that the PDP’s failure to adhere to the provisions of the 1999 Constitution, the Electoral Act 2022, and its own internal guidelines rendered all steps taken towards the convention invalid.
“The party’s non-compliance with due process has rendered the convention process null and void. Until the PDP complies with the law, it cannot proceed with any elective exercise,” he declared.
The judge further ruled that all notices for such conventions must bear the signatures of both the National Chairman and the National Secretary, stressing that any deviation amounted to a breach of legality. Consequently, INEC was restrained from monitoring or recognising any convention that did not meet these statutory conditions.
In rejecting the PDP’s argument that the matter was an internal affair, Justice Omotosho insisted that electoral compliance transcends partisan boundaries.
“Non-compliance with INEC’s regulations and the Electoral Act cannot be treated as an internal party issue. Once a political party operates within the framework of public law, it must abide by legal provisions,” he ruled.
The judgment sparked mixed reactions within the court. While the plaintiffs’ supporters celebrated the verdict, the PDP delegation left the courtroom in silence.
Reacting to the development, Acting National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Damagum, described the judgment as “a direct assault on democracy,” vowing that the party would appeal the ruling immediately.
“This decision is a setback to democratic freedom. You cannot bar a political party from exercising its lawful rights. We shall pursue this to the highest court,” Damagum said.
In a separate statement, the National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, echoed the chairman’s position, calling the ruling “an assault on multiparty democracy.” He urged members to remain calm and continue preparations for the convention, pending the outcome of the appeal.
“The PDP remains resolute in its commitment to democratic ideals and lawful conduct. Our legal team has been directed to challenge this verdict without delay,” Ologunagba stated.
Meanwhile, a separate suit filed by former Jigawa State Governor, Alhaji Sule Lamido, is also seeking to halt the same convention. The case, before Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court, Abuja, is set for hearing on November 6.
Lamido, a founding member of the PDP, argued that the party’s leadership had sidelined due process, thereby denying him his right to contest for the position of National Chairman.
Within the party, leaders have continued to preach calm, viewing the judgment as both a challenge and an opportunity for reform. Deputy National Youth Leader, Timothy Osadolor, described the court’s ruling as “a wake-up call for internal reorganisation.”
“This is the time to put our house in order. The PDP must use this moment to rebuild unity and restore faith in its structures,” he said.
