The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has said it will go ahead with preparations for its planned national convention in Ibadan, despite a court order restraining it from doing so.
In a statement on Friday, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Hon. Debo Ologunagba, described the judgment of the Federal High Court in Abuja as “an assault on Nigeria’s democratic process.”
Justice Kolawole Omotosho had earlier ruled that the PDP should suspend its convention, which is slated for next month, following a suit filed by some party officials.
But the PDP insists that the ruling does not in any way invalidate or halt its ongoing preparations. The party stressed that it remains guided by the recent Supreme Court decision affirming the right of political parties to manage their internal affairs without interference.
“Our Party notes the recent judgment of the Supreme Court which affirms the supremacy of a political party in the management of its internal affairs,” the statement read in part.
Ologunagba called on members, organs, and chapters across the country to remain calm and focused. He assured them that the convention, where new national officers are expected to be elected—will go on as planned once legal processes are concluded.
He also disclosed that the party’s legal team has been directed to immediately appeal the judgment.
“The PDP, as the leading opposition party in Nigeria and one committed to the rule of law, has accordingly directed its lawyers to take immediate action to appeal this judgment.
“We remain unwavering in our determination to uphold, defend, and promote multi-party democracy in our country,” he said.
The PDP further accused certain interests of attempting to undermine its internal democratic processes, vowing that such efforts would not succeed.
Earlier, Westernmirror.com.ng had reported that Justice Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja restrained the PDP from proceeding with its convention scheduled for November 15 and 16 in Ibadan.
The suit was filed by three party officials—Austine Nwachukwu (Imo State chairman), Amah Abraham Nnanna (Abia State chairman), and Turnah George (South-South secretary).
Defendants in the suit include the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the PDP, its National Secretary Senator Samuel Anyanwu, National Organising Secretary Umar Bature, the National Working Committee (NWC), and the National Executive Committee (NEC).
The plaintiffs, believed to be allies of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, argued that the PDP did not comply with its own constitution, the 1999 Constitution, and the Electoral Act in preparing for the convention. They claimed that valid congresses were not conducted in 14 states.
They also maintained that the issue was not merely an internal party matter but a constitutional one requiring judicial interpretation.
The PDP, however, countered that the case falls strictly within its internal affairs and that the plaintiffs’ actions were aimed at destabilising the party and derailing its transition process.
The court order adds another layer to the party’s internal crisis. National Secretary Senator Anyanwu, who is himself aligned with Wike, recently petitioned security agencies, alleging that his signature was forged on documents sent to INEC notifying it of the convention, a claim dismissed by the PDP’s National Working Committee (NWC) and Board of Trustees (BoT) as baseless.
Meanwhile, the National Convention Organising Committee (NCOC) has indefinitely postponed the screening of aspirants earlier scheduled for Tuesday, October 28. Party insiders say the decision was made to allow the leadership time to review the court’s ruling before announcing the next line of action.
Despite the turbulence, the PDP maintains that its congress remains on course.
“We will not be deterred,” Ologunagba concluded. “Our members should continue with preparations across all levels. The PDP remains focused on strengthening democracy and giving Nigerians a viable alternative.”
