Delivering judgment in an appeal against the Federal High Court decision, Justice Uchechukwu Onyemenam held that PDP violated constitutional provisions required before such convention can become valid.
The Court of Appeal in Abuja has upheld the ruling of the Federal High Court, which on October 31, 2025, barred the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognizing the results of the 2025 National Convention of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The convention was held between November 15 and 16 in Ibadan, Oyo State capital.
Delivering judgment in an appeal against the Federal High Court decision, Justice Uchechukwu Onyemenam held that PDP violated constitutional provisions required before such convention can become valid.
Among others, Justice Onyemenam said no valid notice of convention was served on the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, as required by law.
The appellate court also held that valid congresses were not held in more than 14 states as provided by law before the convention was put in place.
Justice Onyemenam held the case of the aggrieved PDP members who instituted the suit against the party was not internal affairs of the party, as erroneously held, but the desire to force INEC to comply with its statutory functions in relation to party conventions.
Having failed to comply with the relevant laws, the Court of Appeal held that the Federal High Court was right in assuming jurisdiction and granting a restraining order against INEC from accepting or recognising the outcome of the PDP 2025 National Convention.
“Compliance with the 1999 Constitution, Electoral Act 2022 and party constitution and guidelines are at the heart of democratic governance and compliance must be strictly enforced in the interest of democracy,” the judge said.
Justice James Omotosho had on October 31, 2025 issued the order that restrained INEC from recognizing the outcome of the Ibadan convention until all provisions of the laws are complied with.
The judge predicated the decision on the grounds that the PDP failed to comply with relevant conditions and laws for the conduct of such conventions.
The judge had held that evidence provided by the electoral umpire and some of the aggrieved PDP members showed that congresses were not held in some states of the federation in breach of the law.
In addition, the lower court had also held that the signing of notices and correspondence of the PDP by its national chairman, without the national secretary, violated the law and consequently made such notices and correspondences a nullity.
Besides, Justice Omotosho held that the PDP failed to issue the mandatory 21 days notice of meetings and congresses to enable INEC carry out its mandatory duty of monitoring such meetings and congresses.
Justice Omotosho held that the failure of the PDP to comply with the law has put the then planned convention in jeopardy, and subsequently advised the party to do the necessary before going ahead with the election.
He therefore restrained INEC from receiving, publishing or recognizing the outcome of the convention slated for Ibadan, until the law has been complied with.
Three aggrieved members of the party who instituted the case are Austin Nwachukwu, Imo PDP chairman; Amah Abraham Nnanna, Abia PDP chairman and Turnah Alabh George, PDP Secretary, South-South.
The suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2120/2025 was instituted on their behalf by a Senior Advocate of Nigeria SAN, Joseph Daudu.
The plaintiffs had asked the court to stop the planned November 15 and 16, 2025 National Convention of PDP, scheduled for Ibadan in Oyo State, where new national officers are expected to be elected.
The nine defendants are INEC, PDP, Samuel Anyanwu, National Secretary of the party, Umar Bature, National Organizing Secretary of the party, NWC and NEC of the party, Ambassador Umar Iliya Damagum, Ali Odefa and Emmanuel Ogidi.
