Court Bars INEC from Recognizing Outcome of PDP Planned 2025 National Convention

The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognizing the outcome of the forthcoming 2025 National Convention of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

Justice James Omotosho, who presided over the matter, gave the order while delivering judgment in a suit challenging the legality of the planned convention.

In his ruling, the court held that the PDP failed to comply with the relevant provisions of the law governing the conduct of such conventions.

According to Justice Omotosho, evidence presented by INEC and some respondents revealed that no congresses were held in certain states of the federation, contrary to the party’s constitutional requirements and electoral laws.

The court further ruled that the signing of notices and correspondences by the PDP National Chairman without the involvement of the National Secretary was a violation of the law, rendering such communications invalid and of no effect.

Justice Omotosho also observed that the PDP did not issue the mandatory 21-day notice to INEC before convening its meetings and congresses, a breach that prevented the commission from performing its statutory duty of monitoring the party’s internal activities.

Consequently, the judge held that the party’s failure to comply with the law had placed the planned 2025 national convention in jeopardy. He therefore barred INEC from recognizing any outcome that may arise from such a convention until the party fulfills all legal and procedural requirements.

Justice Omotosho advised the PDP leadership to rectify all irregularities and comply fully with the law before proceeding with the convention.

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