The Federal High Court, Abuja, on Friday restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising the outcome of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)’s planned national convention.
Justice James Omotosho, in his judgment, held that the PDP failed to comply with provisions of its constitution and relevant electoral laws in the process leading to the convention.
The convention was scheduled to hold on Nov. 15 and 16 in Ibadan, Oyo State.
Omotosho said evidence before the court showed that congresses were not conducted in some states, contrary to the requirements of the law.
He also ruled that correspondence and notices signed only by the PDP National Chairman, without the National Secretary’s endorsement, were invalid.
The judge further held that the party did not give INEC the mandatory 21-day notice required for monitoring its congresses and meetings.
According to him, the failure of the party to follow due process placed the planned convention “in jeopardy.”
He therefore restrained INEC from receiving, publishing, or recognising any outcome from the convention until the PDP complies with all legal requirements.
The judgment followed a suit filed by three aggrieved PDP members — Austin Nwachukwu, Imo State Chairman; Amah Abraham Nnanna, Abia State Chairman; and Turnah Alabh George, PDP South-South Secretary.
The plaintiffs accused the party’s national leadership of breaching internal procedures in the preparations for the convention.