Court has fixed October 31 for judgment on suit seeking to halt PDP National Convention.
NaijaOnPoint Nigeria reports that the Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed October 31, 2025, for judgment in a suit seeking to stop the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from holding its planned national convention scheduled for November 15 and 16 in Ibadan, Oyo State.
Justice James Omotosho set the date on Tuesday after hearing arguments from both the plaintiffs and defence counsel, who adopted their written addresses in the matter.
The suit was filed by Austin Nwachukwu (Imo PDP Chairman), Amah Nnanna (Abia PDP Chairman), and Turnah Alabh George (PDP South-South Secretary).
The plaintiffs sued the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the PDP, its National Secretary, Samuel Anyanwu, National Organising Secretary, Umar Bature, the National Working Committee (NWC), and the National Executive Committee (NEC) as 1st to 6th defendants.
Others joined in the suit include PDP National Chairman, Umar Damagum, Ali Odefa, and Emmanuel Ogidi, listed as the 7th to 9th defendants.
At Tuesday’s proceedings, Justice Omotosho reiterated his earlier order for parties to maintain the status quo regarding the convention, warning that it must not be violated pending the court’s final decision.
Counsel to the plaintiffs, Joseph Daudu (SAN), urged the court not to dismiss the case as a mere internal party dispute, arguing that the plaintiffs were seeking to enforce compliance with the 1999 Constitution, the Electoral Act 2022, and the PDP Constitution.
Daudu contended that no valid congresses were held in 14 states before the PDP’s NWC and NEC issued the notice for the planned convention, in violation of the law which mandates INEC’s supervision of such processes.
However, Paul Erokoro (SAN), representing PDP National Chairman Umar Damagum, urged the court to decline jurisdiction, insisting that matters relating to congresses and conventions fall strictly within the internal affairs of political parties.
Similarly, Eyitayo Jegede (SAN), appearing for the NWC and NEC, aligned with Erokoro’s submission, maintaining that the court had no legal authority to interfere in the PDP’s internal processes.
Justice Omotosho subsequently adjourned the matter to October 31 for judgment.