The Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising the outcome of the forthcoming Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) national convention.
In his ruling, Justice James Omotosho held that the PDP had failed to comply with key legal requirements necessary for the valid conduct of its convention. The judge questioned the legality of the planned exercise, citing multiple procedural breaches.
According to the judgment, evidence from INEC and several respondents showed that congresses were not conducted in some states across the federation, which violated provisions of the law.
Justice Omotosho also faulted the signing of official party notices and correspondences solely by the PDP National Chairman without the National Secretary’s endorsement, declaring such actions invalid.
He further ruled that the party’s failure to issue the mandatory 21-day notice of meetings and congresses to INEC prevented the commission from fulfilling its statutory role of monitoring those activities.
The court held that these lapses placed the planted convention “in jeopardy,” urging the PDP to rectify the legal deficiencies before proceeding.
Consequently, Justice Omotosho restrained INEC from monitoring, receiving, publishing, or recognising the results of the PDP national convention scheduled for November 15 and 16 in Ibadan, Oyo State, until the party fully complies with the law.
What You Should Know
Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, has halted INEC from recognising the results of the PDP’s planned national convention, ruling that the party breached key legal provisions, including the failure to hold congresses in some states and the omission of the National Secretary’s signature on official notices.
The PDP has been advised to correct these issues before proceeding with the event.
