PDP Holds Emergency Meeting After Court Halts Convention

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has convened an emergency meeting of its National Working Committee following Friday’s judgment of the Federal High Court in Abuja stopping its planned national convention scheduled for November 15 and 16 in Ibadan, Oyo State.

A senior party official confirmed that the meeting will take place on Saturday at the PDP National Secretariat, Wadata Plaza, Abuja. According to the official, the leadership will review the court’s decision and decide on the next course of action, describing the session as “a very serious deliberation” that will shape the party’s next steps.

The emergency meeting follows a ruling by Justice James Omotosho, who restrained the PDP from holding the convention over alleged breaches of the 1999 Constitution, the Electoral Act 2022, and the party’s own internal constitution. The judge held that the party failed to conduct valid state congresses in several states and did not give the mandatory 21-day notice to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) before convening the convention.

Justice Omotosho ruled that these irregularities rendered the entire process invalid and further declared that convention notices must be jointly signed by the National Chairman and National Secretary. He barred INEC from monitoring or recognising any PDP convention that fails to comply with legal requirements.

The case was brought by three party officials—Imo PDP Chairman Austin Nwachukwu, Abia PDP Chairman Amah Nnanna, and South-South Zonal Secretary Turnah George—who argued that no valid congresses were held in at least 14 states before the convention notice was issued.

Rejecting the PDP’s argument that the matter was an internal affair, Justice Omotosho said that compliance with the Electoral Act and INEC regulations goes beyond party boundaries. The judgment was met with mixed reactions in court, with plaintiffs’ supporters celebrating while the PDP delegation left quietly.

Acting National Chairman Umar Damagum criticised the verdict, calling it a threat to democracy. He vowed to appeal, insisting that no court should prevent a political party from exercising its rights. National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba described the judgment as an assault on democracy but assured members that preparations for the convention would continue pending appeal.

In a separate case, former Jigawa State governor Sule Lamido also filed a suit before Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja seeking to stop the same convention. Justice Lifu refused to grant interim orders and instead directed the PDP and INEC to respond within 72 hours. The case is set for hearing on November 6. Lamido argued that the party leadership violated its constitution and denied him the opportunity to contest for the position of National Chairman.

Following the court rulings, senior party leaders urged calm and unity. Deputy National Youth Leader Timothy Osadolor said the development offered the PDP a chance to rebuild and address long-standing internal grievances. Another National Executive Committee member described the judgment as a “wake-up call” for reform, saying the party must regroup and reconcile ahead of future challenges.

Despite these assurances, divisions remain within the PDP, particularly between factions loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and supporters of Acting Chairman Umar Damagum. The disputes, rooted in control of party structures and zoning arrangements, continue to strain efforts to stabilise the opposition ahead of the next election cycle.