ABUJA, Nigeria — The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called an emergency session of its National Working Committee (NWC), hours after a federal court in Abuja stopped the opposition party from proceeding with its planned national convention scheduled for Saturday, November 15, 2025 and Sunday, November, 16, 2025, in Ibadan, Oyo State.
A senior NWC member, who requested anonymity because he was not authorised to speak publicly, confirmed that party leaders will meet on Saturday, November 1, 2025, at the PDP headquarters in Abuja to assess the ruling and decide next steps.
“The leaders will review what transpired throughout the process and determine the next line of action,” he said, adding that the meeting will shape the party’s direction “in the coming days”.
On Friday, October 30, 2025, Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court halted preparations for the convention, citing violations of the 1999 Constitution, the Electoral Act 2022, and the PDP constitution.
Delivering judgment in suit FHC/ABJ/CS/2120/2025, Omotosho held that the party failed to conduct valid congresses in several states and did not issue the mandatory 21-day notice to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
“The failure of the PDP to comply with the law has put the planned convention in jeopardy. The party must do the needful before going ahead with the election,” he ruled.
The judge also said convention notices must be jointly signed by the National Chairman and National Secretary, describing a chairman-only signature as unlawful.
INEC, he held, is restrained from monitoring or recognising any PDP convention that does not comply with statutory requirements.
Acting National Chairman Umar Damagum condemned the judgment, calling it “a panacea to annihilating democracy in this country”.
“This is not what we expected. We will appeal it. You cannot stop a whole political party from exercising its legal rights,” Damagum told reporters after the ruling.
In a statement later, National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba described the judgment as “an assault on Nigeria’s democratic process” but insisted preparations for electing new national officers would continue.
“Our lawyers have been directed to appeal immediately,” Ologunagba said, urging members to remain “steadfast and focused”.
The suit was filed by three party officials — Austin Nwachukwu, Amah Nnanna, and Turnah George — who argued no valid congresses were conducted in at least 14 states ahead of the convention notice.
In a separate case, former Jigawa governor Sule Lamido asked another Federal High Court judge to halt the same convention, claiming the party leadership was violating its constitution and denying him the right to contest for NatioTnal Chairman.
Justice Peter Lifu declined to grant interim orders and gave defendants 72 hours to show cause, scheduling the matter for Thursday, November 6, 2025.
The ruling has intensified long-standing rifts within the PDP, particularly between allies of Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike and supporters of the current leadership.
Timothy Osadolor, the party’s Deputy National Youth Leader, said the judgment was “an opportunity to put our house in order,” urging unity.
“We’re depleted enough already and should stop entertaining divisions,” he said.
Another NWC member described the ruling as a “wake-up call”.
“This is not the end of the PDP; it is the beginning of a reformed PDP,” he said. “We must regroup, reconcile, and prepare for the challenges ahead.”
As the party prepares to meet, its future remains uncertain.
While the PDP insists it will appeal, the injunction has forced a pause at a critical moment, exposing unresolved disputes over party structure, zoning, and strategy since the 2023 general elections.
For now, all eyes are on Wadata Plaza as Nigeria’s main opposition battles for cohesion — and relevance — ahead of the next electoral cycle.
