…as the party moves to overturn the decision
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has said Friday's judgment of the Federal High Court in Abuja delivered by Justice Kolawole Omotosho does not invalidate its elective national conference scheduled for November 15 and 16.
The party's National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologugba, said this in a statement reacting to the decision, which he described as an “attack on Nigeria's democratic process”.
The party said the court's decision does not impair its ability to carry forward the processes and activities of the national convention to elect new national officers to govern the party's affairs for the next four years.
“Our party takes note of the recent judgment of the Supreme Court which affirms the supremacy of a political party in the management of its internal affairs.
“The PDP therefore charged its members, chapters and organs to remain steadfast and focus on preparations for the conduct of the national conference of our party.”
However, the party said, “The principal opposition party committed to the rule of law in Nigeria has accordingly instructed its lawyers to take immediate action to appeal this judgment in our unwavering determination to maintain, defend and promote multi-party democracy in our country.”
Recall that Justice Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday ruled to stall the planned 2025 national conference of the PDP until the party complies with the statutory requirements of the party, constitution and the Electoral Act.
Delivering the judgment in a suit filed by three aggrieved members of the party, the judge also barred INEC from accepting reports on the outcome of any national conference of the party without following due process of law as well as its guidelines and rules.
The judge held that INEC is not entitled to give effect to any party convention not conducted in accordance with the Constitution, the Electoral Act and the guidelines/regulations of political parties.
Also read: Court bans PDP's proposed conference
The plaintiffs, represented by the PDP state chairmen of Imo and Cross River, had filed the suit seeking to stop the national conference of the PDP scheduled for Ibadan in Oyo State on November 15 and 16, 2025, where new national officers are expected to be elected on grounds of violation of the party’s constitution.
The nine defendants are the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), PDP, Samuel Anyanwu, National Secretary of the party, Umar Batere, National Organizing Secretary of the party, the National Working Committee (NWC) and the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party.
There were others; Umar Damgam, National Chairman of the party, Ali Odefa and Emmanuel Ogidi.
