A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has barred the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognizing the outcome of the forthcoming 2025 National Convention of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Justice James Omotosho, in a landmark judgment delivered on Friday, ruled that the opposition party failed to comply with key statutory requirements governing the conduct of political conventions.
According to the judge, evidence before the court — including submissions from INEC and some respondents — revealed that congresses were not held in several states, a clear violation of electoral laws.
Justice Omotosho further declared that all notices and correspondences signed solely by the PDP National Chairman without the National Secretary were invalid, stressing that such actions contravened the party’s constitution and the Electoral Act.
The court also faulted the PDP for failing to issue the mandatory 21-day notice to INEC before holding its meetings and congresses, thereby denying the electoral body the opportunity to monitor the processes as required by law.
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“The failure of the PDP to comply with the law has put the planned convention in jeopardy,” Justice Omotosho ruled, advising the party to correct all procedural lapses before proceeding with the exercise.
Consequently, the court restrained INEC from receiving, publishing, or recognizing the outcome of the PDP National Convention scheduled to hold in Ibadan until full legal compliance is achieved.
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