A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has restrained the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from proceeding with its national convention scheduled to take place in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, next month.
Justice James Omotosho issued the order on Friday.
Delivering judgment, Justice James Omotosho held that the opposition party did not meet the mandatory conditions stipulated by law for the conduct of congresses and conventions, as evidenced by materials tendered before the court by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and other respondents.
According to the judge, the PDP failed to conduct congresses in several states across the federation, a clear violation of its internal regulations and the Electoral Act. He further ruled that notices and correspondences issued by the party’s National Chairman without the co-signature of the National Secretary were invalid and, therefore, null and void.
Justice Omotosho also faulted the party’s failure to issue the statutory 21-day notice to INEC before holding its meetings and congresses — a provision designed to allow the commission to carry out its constitutional duty of monitoring such exercises.
“The failure of the PDP to comply with the law has put its planned convention in jeopardy,” Justice Omotosho stated, advising the party to correct all identified irregularities before proceeding with any national election or convention.
Consequently, the court issued an order restraining INEC from receiving, publishing, or recognizing the outcome of the planned PDP convention until full compliance with the relevant laws and party constitution is achieved.