The Federal High Court in Abuja has stopped the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from monitoring or recognizing the upcoming Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) national convention scheduled for November 15-16 in Ibadan. Justice James Omotosho’s judgment held that the PDP did not comply with essential legal requirements for conducting the convention.
The suit that led to the court order was filed by aggrieved PDP members including Austin Nwachukwu, Amah Nnanna, and Turnah Alabh George. They challenged the legality of the convention, citing breaches in PDP’s internal constitution and the Electoral Act. The court dismissed the PDP’s argument on jurisdiction and ruled that INEC must ensure political parties adhere to electoral laws and internal regulations.
Key findings included the absence of congresses in some states, improper signing of party notices by the national chairman without the national secretary, and failure to issue mandatory 21-day notices for meetings. These violations rendered the PDP’s convention arrangements invalid and non-compliant with the law.
Justice Omotosho emphasized that political parties must obey their own constitutions and warned that ignoring these laws would undermine democracy. The court ordered INEC to refuse recognition of any convention outcomes until the PDP fully complies with legal requirements.
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