Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja has reaffirmed that his earlier order maintaining the status quo on all matters relating to the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) 2025 National Convention remains valid and binding on all parties involved in the ongoing legal dispute.
Delivering the ruling on Thursday, Justice Omotosho warned that no party should take any action that could undermine or render the court’s eventual decision ineffective, cautioning that any breach of the order would attract consequential sanctions.
The warning followed a complaint by counsel to the PDP, Chief Chris Uche (SAN), who argued that the existing order was constraining the party’s activities and therefore urged the court to fast-track the hearing of the substantive suit.
Responding, Justice Omotosho assured that the court would deliver judgment on the case before the end of October to enable all parties to know their legal standing. He also warned that no party would be permitted to employ delay tactics in the ongoing proceedings challenging the legality of the planned national convention scheduled for November 15 and 16 in Ibadan, Oyo State.
“You and I as lawyers know that once a matter is before the court and all parties have been served, no one should take any further steps in respect of it. The court must not be overreached. If any party violates this principle, the court reserves the power to nullify such acts. Let us respect the law—it is in our collective interest,” Justice Omotosho said.
The judge further revealed that he personally types his judgments to prevent unnecessary delays, promising that copies would be made available to all parties immediately upon delivery.
Meanwhile, the court has fixed Monday, October 20, for the definite hearing of the originating summons filed by three aggrieved members of the PDP—Hon. Austin Nwachukwu (Imo PDP Chairman), Hon. Amah Abraham Nnanna (Abia PDP Chairman), and Turnah Alabh George (PDP Secretary, South-South).
The plaintiffs are seeking an order to stop the PDP from proceeding with its planned convention, where new national officers are expected to be elected.
The nine defendants in the suit include the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the PDP, Samuel Anyanwu (National Secretary), Umar Bature (National Organizing Secretary), the National Working Committee (NWC), the National Executive Committee (NEC), Ambassador Umar Iliya Damagum, Ali Odefa, and Emmanuel Ogidi.
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Justice Omotosho directed that all parties must exchange their filed processes by October 17 to enable the court to proceed with a full hearing.
At the session, both Kamaldeen Ajibade (SAN), the PDP’s National Legal Adviser, and Chris Uche (SAN) appeared claiming representation for the party. The judge instructed both counsel to submit formal filings so the court can determine the rightful legal representative of the PDP in the matter.
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