Court ruling does not invalidate PDP national convention – Ologunagba
…as party moves to vacate judgement
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has said that Friday’s judgement of the Federal High Court in Abuja, delivered by Justice Kolawole Omotosho, does not invalidate its elective national convention scheduled for November 15 and 16.
Debo Ologuagba, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, stated this, in a statement reacting to the judgement, which it described as “an assault on Nigeria’s democratic process.”
The party stated that the judgement of the court does not vitiate its ability to proceed with the processes and activities towards the national convention to elect new national officers to pilot the affairs of the party for the next four years.
“Our party notes the recent judgement of the Supreme Court which affirms the supremacy of a political party in the management of its internal affairs.
“The PDP therefore charged its members, Chapter and Organs to remain steadfast and focused on preparations towards the holding of the national convention of our party.”
The party however, said “as the leading opposition party in Nigeria committed to the rule of law has accordingly directed its lawyers to take immediate action to appeal this judgment in our unwavering determination to uphold, defend and promote multi-party democracy in our country.”
Recall that Justice Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday, delivered a judgement stopping the planned 2025 national convention of the PDP until the party complies with the statutory requirements of the party, the Constitution and the Electoral Act.
Delivering judgement in a suit filed by three aggrieved members of the party, the Judge also restrained INEC from accepting report on the outcome of any national convention of the party without following the due process of the law as well as its guidelines and regulations.
The Judge held that INEC is not entitled to give effect to the convention of a party not done in accordance with the Constitution, Electoral Act and the guidelines/regulations of political parties.
Read also: Court halts PDP’s planned convention
The plaintiffs, represented by the PDP State Chairmen of Imo and Cross Rivers had instituted the suit seeking to stop the planned November 15 and 16, 2025 National Convention of PDP scheduled for Ibadan in Oyo State where new National Officers are expected to be elected on the ground of breach of the party’s Constitution.
The nine defendants are, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), PDP, Samuel Anyanwu, National Secretary of the party, Umar Bature, National Organizing Secretary of the party, National Working Committee (NWC) and National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party,
Others were; Umar Damagum, the party’s National Chairman, Ali Odefa and Emmanuel Ogidi.
