Court Restrains PDP from Proceeding with Scheduled National Convention in Ibadan

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has restrained the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from proceeding with its planned national convention scheduled to hold in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, next month.

Justice James Omotosho issued the interim order on Friday, effectively putting the party’s much-anticipated gathering on hold pending the determination of a substantive motion before the court.

The order followed a suit instituted by three key party stakeholders — Austin Nwachukwu (Imo PDP Chairman), Amah Nnanna (Abia PDP Chairman), and Turnah Alabh George (PDP Zonal Secretary, South-South) — who approached the court seeking to stop the event over alleged procedural irregularities within the party’s state structures.

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Plaintiffs Challenge Validity of State Congresses

In their suit, the plaintiffs contended that properly conducted state congresses were not held in 14 states, thereby undermining the credibility of delegates expected to participate in the planned national convention.

They argued that allowing the convention to proceed without addressing these alleged lapses would amount to a violation of the party’s constitution and internal democratic processes. The plaintiffs therefore prayed the court to suspend the convention, slated for 15–16 November, until valid congresses are conducted in the affected states.

The development, Akahi News learnt, has deepened internal wrangling within the opposition party, which has been battling leadership disputes and zoning controversies ahead of its next electoral cycle.

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Defendants Named in the Suit

The suit lists the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as the first defendant, alongside the PDP, Samuel Anyanwu (National Secretary), Umar Bature (National Organising Secretary), the National Working Committee (NWC), and the National Executive Committee (NEC) as second to sixth defendants respectively.

Others joined in the case include Umar Damagum, the PDP Acting National Chairman; Ali Odefa, and Emmanuel Ogidi, who are listed as the seventh to ninth defendants.

According to court documents sighted by Akahi News, the plaintiffs insist that the failure to conduct valid state congresses in key states has rendered the planned Ibadan convention unconstitutional and contrary to the principles of equity and fairness that the PDP claims to uphold.

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PDP Leadership Yet to Respond

As of press time, the PDP leadership had not issued any official statement in response to the restraining order. Party insiders, however, told Akahi News that emergency consultations were underway within the National Working Committee to explore possible legal and political responses.

Some members expressed disappointment over what they described as “persistent internal sabotage,” accusing certain factions of using the courts to stall the party’s progress. Others, however, welcomed the court’s intervention as a necessary step toward restoring order and credibility within the PDP.

Political analysts believe that the ruling could have significant implications for the party’s unity and its readiness ahead of upcoming elections, as the convention was expected to resolve key leadership and structural disputes.

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Next Steps and Legal Outlook

Justice Omotosho’s ruling has effectively frozen all preparatory activities for the Ibadan convention until further notice. The court adjourned the matter for hearing on the substantive motion, during which both parties will present their arguments in full.

Legal observers told Akahi News that while the restraining order is temporary, it underscores the growing influence of intra-party litigation in shaping Nigeria’s political dynamics. The PDP, being the main opposition platform, is now under increased pressure to address internal grievances through transparent mechanisms rather than judicial intervention.

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Implications for PDP’s Internal Democracy

The case adds to a long list of leadership tussles that have dogged the PDP since its exit from power in 2015. Many within the party see the situation as a litmus test for its commitment to internal democracy and procedural fairness.

If the court eventually nullifies the convention process, the party may be forced to return to the drawing board — a development that could delay its broader political reorganisation and strategy for national relevance.

As the matter progresses, stakeholders within and outside the PDP will be watching closely to see whether the party can overcome yet another test of unity and internal discipline.

By Joseph Iyaji | Akahi News
Joseph Iyaji is a journalist, educator, and founder of Akahi G. International, Akahi Tutors, and Akahi News. Read more about him here.
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