By Our Reporter
ABUJA — The plan by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to hold its national convention in Ibadan has suffered a major setback, as an Abuja court has issued a final order restraining the party from going ahead with the event. The court also barred the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from supervising the exercise or recognizing any officers that may emerge from it.
The ruling, delivered on Friday, follows legal action initiated by aggrieved party members who argued that the proposed convention violated internal procedures and ignored pending disputes over the legality of certain state delegates expected to participate in the election of national officers.
In its judgment, the court held that proceeding with the Ibadan convention could deepen existing internal crises and undermine the integrity of the PDP’s leadership recruitment process. Consequently, the judge issued a final order stopping the party from convening the event until all outstanding issues are resolved.
The court further directed INEC to refrain from monitoring or acknowledging any decisions, outcomes, or elected officers that may arise should the PDP defy the order. The electoral body is required by law to supervise party conventions where new national executives are elected.
Friday’s ruling represents a significant disruption to the PDP’s internal timetable, as the party’s current leadership had been preparing for a fresh mandate. Sources within the party said the judgment may widen existing divisions, particularly among factions jostling for control ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Party insiders also fear that the development could trigger a leadership vacuum if the PDP is unable to resolve its internal disputes early enough to reschedule the convention.
As of press time, the PDP had not issued an official response to the ruling, while INEC is expected to comply with the court order pending further legal or political clarifications.
The development marks yet another legal hurdle for the opposition party, which has in recent months struggled with internal conflicts, parallel congresses, and competing claims to legitimacy in several states.
Source: Tribune Online
