PDP challenges court judgment halting its national convention, vows to appeal and continue preparations for the party’s leadership election

PDP challenges court judgment halting its planned national convention, describing the ruling as a direct assault on the party’s internal democracy and an attempt to undermine its constitutional rights.

Also read: Igbo Political Network Deploys 5,000 Observers for Anambra Poll

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has directed its members nationwide to continue preparations for its forthcoming national convention, even as it vowed to appeal the recent court judgment that stopped the event.

In a statement issued on Friday, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, condemned the ruling of the Federal High Court in Abuja, which restrained the PDP from holding its convention in Ibadan, Oyo State, on 15 and 16 November.

Ologunagba said the decision was a disturbing setback to Nigeria’s democratic process, stressing that the judgment directly infringes on the PDP’s constitutional autonomy to manage its internal affairs.

Justice James Omotosho, in a case filed by three aggrieved members — Austin Nwachukwu (Imo PDP Chairman), Amah Abraham Nnanna (Abia PDP Chairman), and Turnah Alabh George (PDP Secretary, South-South) — ordered that the convention be suspended until the party complies with the provisions of the law and its own constitution.

The court held that the PDP failed to conduct valid state congresses in 14 states and neglected to issue the mandatory 21-day notice to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) before calling for the convention.

Justice Omotosho ruled that these infractions amounted to violations of both the 1999 Constitution and the Electoral Act 2022, thereby rendering the party’s preparatory process invalid.

However, Ologunagba maintained that the PDP remains steadfast in its resolve to conduct the convention lawfully and transparently, in line with its constitutional framework.

“The PDP is appalled by this judgment, which we view as a deliberate assault on Nigeria’s democratic process,” he said. “Nonetheless, this ruling does not invalidate our ongoing preparations or our resolve to elect new national officers.”

He further cited a recent Supreme Court decision reaffirming that political parties have the supreme right to administer their internal affairs without undue interference.

The PDP, according to Ologunagba, has instructed its legal team to file an immediate appeal at the Court of Appeal, expressing confidence that justice would prevail.

“We are determined to uphold, defend and promote multi-party democracy in our country,” he said, urging members to remain calm, united, and focused on the forthcoming national convention.

Despite ongoing internal divisions — including tensions between supporters of Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and those loyal to the Acting National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Damagum — the PDP leadership insists that the party remains committed to its reform agenda.

The court case adds a new layer of complexity to the PDP’s already fragile internal politics, but the party says it will not allow the ruling to derail its mission to restore stability and reclaim public trust ahead of the 2027 elections.

Also read: ADC Accuses Tinubu of Weaponising Hunger in Nigeria

The opposition party’s next steps will depend on the outcome of its appeal, which is expected to test the boundaries of judicial involvement in the internal affairs of political parties.