Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed October 31 for judgment in the suit seeking to halt the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Convention slated for November 15 and 16, 2025.
The convention, expected to produce new national executives for the main opposition party, has become a flashpoint of internal wrangling, with the outcome of the case likely to determine the control of the PDP’s structure ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The decision to reserve judgment followed heated arguments on Tuesday from both sides of the dispute, as the plaintiffs urged the court to stop the planned convention, while the PDP insisted the matter was an internal affair outside the court’s jurisdiction.
Representing the PDP, Chief Chris Uche, SAN, argued that the plaintiffs, allegedly backed by external political forces, were acting to destabilise the party. He described the case as a family matter that should be resolved through internal mechanisms as outlined in the PDP constitution.
Uche told the court that the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) had lost confidence in the National Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade, SAN, accusing him of siding with the plaintiffs. He added that Ajibade filed processes in court without the knowledge or consent of the NWC, which led to his removal as the PDP’s legal representative in the case.
Citing Article 42 of the PDP Constitution, Uche maintained that once the NWC makes a decision, no individual member has the authority to act contrary to it. He therefore urged the court to dismiss the case, saying it lacked merit and fell within the party’s internal affairs.
On the other hand, Ajibade, represented by R. A. Dada, SAN, countered that, according to the PDP Constitution and previous court rulings, the National Legal Adviser remains the lawful representative of the party in all legal matters.
Other defence lawyers, including Paul Erokoro, SAN, representing the PDP National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Iliya Damagum, and Eyitayo Jegede, SAN, representing the NWC and National Executive Committee (NEC), aligned with Uche’s argument, asking the court to strike out the suit.
However, counsel for the plaintiffs, Chief Joseph Daudu, SAN, argued that their case was not an internal party matter but a constitutional issue aimed at restoring internal democracy within the PDP.
He claimed that the party violated both the Nigerian Constitution and the Electoral Act by failing to conduct congresses in 14 states, making the planned national convention illegal.
“The issue before the court is about whether the PDP complied with the law in preparing for its convention,” Daudu said, urging the court to grant all the reliefs sought in the originating summons.
The plaintiffs in the suit are Hon. Austin Nwachukwu (Imo PDP Chairman), Hon. Amah Abraham Nnanna (Abia PDP Chairman), and Turnah Alabh George (PDP Secretary, South-South).
The nine defendants include the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the PDP, Samuel Anyanwu (National Secretary), Umar Bature (National Organising Secretary), the NWC, NEC, Amb. Umar Damagum, Ali Odefa, and Emmanuel Ogidi.
Justice Omotosho, after hearing all arguments, announced that judgment would be delivered on October 31, 2025.
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