Appeal Court Upholds Ruling Against PDP Convention

The Court of Appeal in Abuja has upheld a High Court ruling restraining the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising the outcome of the Peoples Democratic Party’s 2025 National Convention held in Ibadan, Oyo State.

The convention, which took place between November 15 and 16, 2025, had been contested by aggrieved members of the party who argued that the PDP failed to comply with key legal procedures required for the conduct of such internal elections.

In its judgement, the appellate court affirmed the earlier decision that INEC must not accept, publish, or act on the outcome of the convention until the party fully complies with constitutional and electoral provisions governing party activities.

Delivering the lead judgement, Justice Uchechukwu Onyemenam ruled that the PDP failed to serve a valid notice of the convention to INEC, a statutory requirement under Nigeria’s electoral framework. The court also found that the party did not conduct valid congresses in more than 14 states, a breach that undermined the legitimacy of the convention.

Justice Onyemenam emphasised that the matter before the court was not merely an internal dispute within a political party but one that concerned the statutory responsibilities of the electoral commission.

According to the court, the case was necessary to ensure that INEC performs its constitutional duty to monitor party conventions and ensure compliance with electoral laws.

“The issue is not just about party affairs but about ensuring that the electoral body performs its statutory functions as provided by law,” the judge ruled.

The original suit was filed by Austin Nwachukwu, Amah Abraham Nnanna, and Turnah Alabh George, who were represented by Senior Advocate of Nigeria Joseph Daudu. The respondents in the case included the PDP, INEC, and several party officials.

The court reiterated that strict compliance with the Constitution, the Electoral Act, and internal party guidelines remains fundamental to democratic governance and the credibility of Nigeria’s electoral process.