The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has vowed to appeal the judgement stopping its planned national convention scheduled to hold in Ibadan, Oyo State on November 15 and 16.

The party, which described the ruling as an assault on Nigeria’s democratic process, urged its members to remain focused on preparations for the convention.

This was disclosed in a statement on Friday by the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, who said the party had directed its lawyers to take immediate steps to appeal the judgment, reaffirming its commitment to upholding, defending, and promoting multi-party democracy in Nigeria.

In a statement titled “PDP Planned National Convention Not Vitiated by Court,” the party charged its members, chapters, and organs to remain steadfast and focused on preparations for the national convention.

The PDP said it was appalled by the ruling of the Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice Kolawole Omotosho, describing it as “an assault on Nigeria’s democratic process.”

However, the party insisted that the judgment did not vitiate its ability to proceed with the processes and activities leading up to the national convention to elect new national officers for the next four years.

“Our party notes the recent judgment of the Supreme Court which affirms the supremacy of a political party in the management of its internal affairs,” the statement read.

The PDP reiterated that, as the leading opposition party committed to the rule of law, it had accordingly directed its lawyers to appeal the ruling, in its unwavering determination to defend and promote multi-party democracy in the country.

Court stops convention over notices

Earlier, the Federal High Court in Abuja restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising the outcome of the PDP national convention.

Justice James Omotosho held that evidence from INEC indicated the party’s national officers did not conduct congresses in about 14 states ahead of the proposed convention, in breach of the law.

The judge further noted that the notices signed by the party bore only the signature of the acting national chairman without that of the national secretary, violating the Electoral Act and rendering them invalid.

He also agreed with counsel to the aggrieved members, Joseph Daudu (SAN), that the PDP failed to issue the mandatory 21-day notice for meetings and congresses to enable INEC to perform its statutory duty of monitoring them.

Justice Omotosho held that the PDP’s non-compliance with the law had jeopardised the planned convention and advised the party to put its house in order before proceeding.

Counsel to Acting National Chairman Umar Damagum and the National Working Committee (NWC), Paul Erokoro (SAN) and Eyitayo Jegede (SAN), had urged the court to decline jurisdiction, arguing that congresses and conventions are internal party matters.

However, the judge held that while party affairs are generally internal, the court could assume jurisdiction where there is a breach of electoral laws or regulations.

He therefore restrained INEC from receiving, publishing, or recognising the outcome of the convention scheduled for Ibadan on November 15 and 16 until the party complies with the law.

The suit was filed by three aggrieved members, Hon Austin Nwachukwu (Imo PDP chairman), Hon Amah Abraham Nnanna (Abia PDP chairman), and Turnah Alabh George (PDP secretary, South-South), who are believed to be allies of the FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, who had vowed to stop the convention over unmet demands.

The nine defendants include INEC, the PDP, Samuel Anyanwu (National Secretary), Umar Bature (National Organising Secretary), the NWC, the NEC, Ambassador Umar Iliya Damagum, Ali Odefa, and Emmanuel Ogidi.

‘Anyanwu must sign notices’

By the court’s latest order, all party notices must be signed by National Secretary Samuel Anyanwu, another known ally of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, who has been at odds with Acting National Chairman Damagum.

The three aggrieved members told journalists on Friday that they were only interested in ensuring compliance with the law and the PDP constitution.

“Impunity has no place in internal party management, and we give God all the glory. We are not against the convention; the court only ordered that all steps preceding it must follow due process,” Turnah said.

The plaintiffs, in the suit filed on October 7, contended that INEC could not recognise any convention or congress of the PDP that failed to comply with Section 223(1)(a) and 228(a) of the 1999 Constitution, Sections 82(1)(2)(3) of the Electoral Act 2022, and paragraphs 12–16 of the PDP’s Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties, 2022.

A counsel to the national officers, who spoke anonymously, confirmed that plans were underway to appeal the judgment next week.

“It is the right of the defendants, and we will study the judgment carefully before advising them appropriately,” he said, adding that the court should have considered the potential fallout if the national secretary refuses to carry out his duties.

Another court declines Lamido’s request to stop convention

Meanwhile, another Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday declined to grant an application by former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido seeking to restrain the PDP from proceeding with its scheduled convention.

Lamido, through his lawyer, Jeph Njikonye (SAN), had asked the court to grant an interim order halting the convention pending the hearing of his motion on notice.

Justice Peter Lifu, in his ruling, directed the PDP and INEC to appear within 72 hours to show cause why Lamido’s application should not be granted.

Lamido joined the PDP and INEC as defendants in the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2299/2025, arguing that the party would violate its constitution and deny him the opportunity to contest for the position of national chairman if it proceeded with the convention.

He said the court had the inherent jurisdiction to preserve the subject matter of the suit and that failure to restrain the PDP could render his case futile.

Justice Lifu held that, in balancing the equities of both parties, the court would invoke its discretion under Order 26 Rule 8(c) of the 2019 Rules to compel the PDP and INEC to show cause before deciding whether to grant the reliefs.

The matter, which was the only one on Friday’s cause list, was heard in chambers, and the judge fixed November 6 for further hearing.

Lamido’s suit followed allegations that he was denied access to purchase the nomination form to contest for national chairman, alongside former Minister of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs, Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, who was endorsed by the party’s northern governors and leaders.

The former governor described the development as “unacceptable and undemocratic” after his visit to the PDP National Secretariat on October 27 to obtain the form proved unsuccessful.

Osadolor: PDP needs stakeholders’ meeting to resolve crisis

A member of the PDP National Executive Committee (NEC), Timothy Osadolor, told Weekend Trust that members should see the judgment as an opportunity to address lingering internal issues.

Osadolor urged party leaders to immediately convene a stakeholders’ meeting to frankly discuss grievances and restore unity.

He noted that it would be unjust if the entire South East were not represented at the November 15–16 convention, stressing the need to revisit the zoning arrangement.

“The court is simply asking us to do what is proper before the convention,” he said. “The NWC’s tenure ends in December, so there’s still time to fix things. This is the moment for genuine dialogue about the future of our party.”

He urged members to put aside pride and reconcile. “We are already too divided; humility and sincerity are the only way forward,” he said, adding that Acting Chairman Damagum had consistently advocated dialogue and inclusivity.

“Damagum believes there’s always a meeting point. If we are sincere, there’s nothing we cannot resolve,” he added.

He further warned that excluding entire zones from the process would be an aberration. “Zoning and access to contest must be transparent. Democracy thrives when everyone is allowed to participate,” he said.

Background to the impasse

Since the 2023 presidential primaries that produced former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, the PDP has been mired in crisis.

Atiku himself recently left the party, aligning with the coalition-led African Democratic Congress (ADC), though he is yet to formally declare his intentions.

FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, who lost the 2023 primary to Atiku, vowed not to work for him until then National Chairman Iyorchia Ayu was removed. Wike and four other governors later backed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for which he was rewarded with a ministerial position.

Ahead of 2027, Wike has openly declared his intention to support the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), though he insists he remains a PDP member.

The minister and several PDP governors have been locked in a power struggle over the party’s structure ahead of the elections. Analysts say Wike’s moves are aimed at weakening the PDP to ease Tinubu’s re-election bid, while governors loyal to the party seek to reclaim control.

National Secretary Samuel Anyanwu, a Wike ally, has insisted that certain conditions must be met before the convention can hold.

Recently, Anyanwu accused members of the NWC of forging his signature on a letter to INEC, calling on security agencies to investigate and prosecute those involved. (Daily Trust)