The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has halted the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from proceeding with its planned National Convention scheduled for November. In a significant ruling delivered on Friday, Justice James Omotosho issued an order restraining the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognizing, publishing, or giving effect to the results of the proposed convention until all legal requirements have been duly met.

The court’s decision followed a suit challenging the legitimacy of the forthcoming convention, with the plaintiffs arguing that the party failed to comply with constitutional and procedural conditions governing the conduct of such internal elections. In his judgment, Justice Omotosho upheld this argument, ruling that the PDP had breached several key legal provisions.

According to the court, evidence presented by INEC and other respondents revealed that the PDP did not hold congresses in some states of the federation as required by law, thereby violating the internal democratic processes stipulated for political parties. Justice Omotosho further noted that the signing of official notices and correspondence solely by the party’s National Chairman, without the counter-signature of the National Secretary, contravened the party’s constitution. Such actions, he said, rendered the documents legally invalid.

Additionally, the judge faulted the PDP for failing to issue the statutory 21-day notice to INEC prior to holding meetings or congresses—a critical step that allows the electoral body to observe and monitor such political events. By neglecting this requirement, the party effectively compromised the legality of its proposed convention.

Justice Omotosho concluded that the PDP’s disregard for these legal stipulations had jeopardized the credibility of the planned convention. He advised the party to rectify all identified irregularities and comply fully with the law before rescheduling the exercise. Consequently, INEC has been barred from accepting or publishing any outcome from the convention until the PDP fulfills all necessary legal obligations.