Gloria Robert, Abuja
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has directed its members across the country to continue preparations for its forthcoming national convention, despite a court order stopping the exercise.
The party said it has instructed its legal team to appeal the judgment of the Federal High Court in Abuja, which restrained it from going ahead with the convention scheduled to hold in Ibadan, Oyo State, on Nov. 15 and 16.
PDP National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Debo Ologunagba, stated this in a statement issued on Friday in Abuja, describing the judgment as “a direct assault on internal democracy.”
Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, had earlier on Friday ordered the suspension of the planned convention pending compliance with the PDP constitution, the 1999 Constitution, and the Electoral Act, 2022.
The order followed a suit filed by three aggrieved party members — Mr. Austin Nwachukwu (Imo PDP Chairman), Mr. Amah Abraham Nnanna (Abia PDP Chairman), and Mr. Turnah Alabh George (PDP Secretary, South-South).
The plaintiffs had urged the court to stop the national convention, alleging that the party failed to conduct valid congresses in 14 states before issuing notice for the convention where new national officers were to be elected.
Justice Omotosho held that the PDP did not comply with the constitutional provisions and INEC guidelines governing political party conventions, including the mandatory 21-day notice for meetings and congresses.
He therefore directed the immediate suspension of the event until the party resolves its internal irregularities and fully complies with the law.
Reacting, Ologunagba said the PDP would appeal the judgment, citing a recent Supreme Court ruling affirming the authority of political parties to regulate their internal affairs.
“The Peoples Democratic Party is appalled by the judgment of the Federal High Court, Abuja, describing it as an assault on Nigeria’s democratic process,” Ologunagba said.
He added that the ruling does not prevent the party from continuing its preparations for the national convention to elect new national officers.
“The PDP has accordingly directed its lawyers to take immediate steps to appeal the judgment in our unwavering determination to uphold, defend, and promote multi-party democracy in our country,” he stated.
The statement urged all party members, chapters, and organs to remain steadfast and focused on preparations for the national convention.