The court of appeal in Abuja has affirmed the judgment of a federal high court, which restrained the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from conducting the national convention held on November 15 and 16, 2025 in Ibadan.
Delivering judgment on Monday, a three-member panel of the appellate court dismissed an appeal filed by the PDP challenging the jurisdiction of the Abuja federal high court to entertain the suit.
Uchechukwu Onyemenam, who delivered the lead judgment, held that PDP violated the constitutional provisions for a convention.
Onyemenam agreed that no valid notice of the convention was served on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as required by law.
The appellate court also held that congresses were not held in more than 14 states, as provided by law, before the event.
Onyemenam held that the matter raised by those who filed the suit at the lower court should not be regarded as internal affairs of the party.
The court of appeal held that the federal high court was right in assuming jurisdiction and granting an order restraining INEC from accepting or recognising the outcome of the national convention.
“Non-compliance with the 1999 Constitution, Electoral Act 2022 and party Constitution and Guidelines are at the heart of democratic governance, and compliance must be strictly enforced in the interest of democracy,” the court held.
The court awarded N2million cost against the PDP for filing a “frivolous appeal”.
On October 31, 2025, the federal high court in Abuja restrained the PDP from conducting the convention.
James Omotosho, judge of a federal high court in Abuja, held that evidence before the court indicated that the party failed to conduct valid state congresses ahead of the planned convention, contrary to provisions of the 1999 Constitution, INEC guidelines, and the party’s constitution.
