A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognizing the outcome of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Convention scheduled for 2025.
Justice James Omotosho gave the order on Friday while ruling on a suit that challenged the legality of the planned convention.
The judge said the PDP failed to comply with provisions of the law guiding the conduct of such conventions, describing the planned exercise as flawed.
He held that evidence before the court, including documents from INEC and other respondents, showed that congresses were not conducted in some states, contrary to the party’s guidelines and the Electoral Act.
In addition, the court faulted the signing of party notices and correspondence solely by the PDP National Chairman without the involvement of the National Secretary, declaring such actions invalid.
Justice Omotosho also noted that the party did not give the statutory 21-day notice required for INEC to monitor its meetings and congresses, a breach he said rendered the process defective.
He therefore restrained INEC from receiving, publishing, or recognizing the outcome of the convention slated for Ibadan until the PDP complies with all legal requirements.