JUST IN : COURT HALTS PDP NATIONAL CONVENTION OVER VIOLATION OF ELECTORAL LAWS
Read Time:1 Minute, 56 Second
HOTJIST NEWS
The Federal High Court seated in Abuja on Friday prohibited the Peoples Democratic Party from advancing with its proposed national convention set to take place in Ibadan, Oyo State, on November 15 and 16 pending further notification.
Delivering a ruling in a case designated FHC/ABJ/CS/2120/2025, Justice James Omotosho mandated the suspension of the convention until the party adheres to the statutory obligations outlined in its own constitution, the Nigerian Constitution, and the Electoral Act.
The case was brought forth by three disgruntled members of the party — Austin Nwachukwu (Imo PDP chairman), Amah Abraham Nnanna (Abia PDP chairman), and Turnah Alabh George (PDP Secretary, South-South).
The complainants requested the court to prevent the PDP’s proposed national convention in Ibadan, where new national officers were anticipated to be elected, asserting that the intended convention contravened the stipulations of the Electoral Act and the internal regulations of the PDP.
The nine respondents in the matter are: the Independent National Electoral Commission, the PDP, Samuel Anyanwu (National Secretary of the PDP), Umar Bature (National Organising Secretary), the National Working Committee, the National Executive Committee, Ambassador Umar Iliya Damagum, Ali Odefa, and Emmanuel Ogidi.
Justice Omotosho, in the ruling issued, determined that the evidence presented to the court demonstrated that the party did not adhere to the stipulations of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the INEC guidelines, and the PDP’s own constitution.
The court found that the PDP did not conduct valid state congresses before proceeding to organise the planned national convention to elect its national officers.
As a result, Justice Omotosho instructed the PDP “to return and organize its affairs, and to provide the requisite 21-day notification to INEC before it can advance with the intended convention. “
The judge further prohibited INEC from accepting or acknowledging the results of any PDP national convention not conducted in accordance with due process, legal requirements, and INEC’s own regulations.
The court asserted that INEC is not authorized to enforce the results of any political party convention that does not adhere to the stipulations of the Constitution, the Electoral Act, and applicable party regulations.
Additionally, the court rejected preliminary objections raised by the defendants contesting its jurisdiction on the basis that the issue was an internal matter of the party.
DETAILS SHORTLY
Happy
0 %
Sad
0 %
Excited
0 %
Sleepy
0 %
Angry
0 %
Surprise
0 %
0
0