The Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed October 31 for judgment in a suit seeking to halt the planned national convention of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Justice James Omotosho announced the date on Tuesday after listening to final arguments from both the plaintiffs and the defence teams, who adopted their written submissions in court.
The case was filed by Austin Nwachukwu (Imo PDP Chairman), Amah Nnanna (Abia PDP Chairman), and Turnah Alabh George (PDP Secretary, South-South). The trio sued the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the PDP, and key party officials including Samuel Anyanwu, Umar Bature, the National Working Committee (NWC), and the National Executive Committee (NEC). Others listed as defendants include Umar Damagum (Acting National Chairman), Ali Odefa, and Emmanuel Ogidi.
The plaintiffs are asking the court to stop the PDP from proceeding with its planned convention scheduled for November 15 and 16 in Ibadan, Oyo State, where new national officers are expected to be elected.
Justice Omotosho reaffirmed his earlier order directing all parties to maintain the status quo pending the determination of the case, warning that the order must not be violated.
Counsel to the plaintiffs, Joseph Daudu (SAN), argued that the matter was not an internal party issue but a constitutional one, stressing that no valid congresses were conducted in 14 states before the PDP announced the convention date. He added that INEC’s monitoring role in party congresses is constitutionally mandatory.
However, Paul Erokoro (SAN), representing the PDP National Chairman, urged the court to decline jurisdiction, arguing that the case involves internal party affairs. Eyitayo Jegede (SAN), counsel for the NWC and NEC, supported this position, stating that the court lacks the authority to interfere in party conventions.
The court’s decision on October 31 is expected to determine whether the PDP can go ahead with its planned national convention or suspend the process pending further legal resolution.
