In a defiant and politically charged statement issued on Friday, October 31, 2025, Nigeria’s main opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), declared that it would proceed with its long-awaited National Convention despite a restraining order issued earlier in the day by the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The decision marks the beginning of what many observers describe as a major confrontation between the judiciary and one of Nigeria’s most powerful political organizations. It also underscores the deepening internal tensions within the PDP, just as the party struggles to redefine itself ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The Court Order That Sparked the Storm
Earlier in the day, Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court had issued an order barring the PDP from proceeding with its planned National Convention scheduled for November 15–16 in Ibadan, Oyo State.
The case was filed by Austin Nwachukwu, the Imo State PDP Chairman; Amah Nnanna, the Abia State PDP Chairman; and Turnah Alabh George, the South-South Zonal Secretary of the PDP.
Their argument was that properly conducted state congresses had not been held in 14 states of the federation, and therefore, any national convention based on those flawed processes would violate the party’s constitution and disenfranchise large sections of its membership.
The plaintiffs asked the court to restrain the party from going ahead with the convention until valid congresses were conducted in the affected states.
The defendants in the suit included the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the PDP National Working Committee (NWC), the National Executive Committee (NEC), and key national officers such as Samuel Anyanwu (National Secretary), Umar Bature (National Organising Secretary), and Umar Damagum (Acting National Chairman).
In his ruling, Justice Omotosho granted an interim order restraining the party from “proceeding with or taking any further steps towards holding its National Convention pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.”
The judgment, which political analysts described as “a judicial bombshell,” immediately sent shockwaves through the PDP hierarchy.
The PDP’s Immediate Reaction: Defiance and Reassurance
Barely hours after the ruling, the PDP leadership, through its National Publicity Secretary, Hon. Debo Ologunagba, released a strongly worded press statement titled “PDP Planned National Convention Not Vitiated by Court.”
In the statement, the PDP expressed deep disappointment and outrage at the court’s decision, describing it as “an assault on Nigeria’s democratic process.”
“The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is appalled by the judgment of the Federal High Court, Abuja, presided over by Honorable Justice Kolawole Omotosho today, describing it as an assault on Nigeria’s democratic process,” the statement read.
However, the party quickly clarified that the court’s decision did not invalidate or halt the ongoing preparations for its National Convention.
“The judgment of the court does not vitiate our 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,” the statement asserted.
The party’s tone was firm, almost confrontational, signaling that it would not easily yield to what it perceived as judicial overreach.
Invoking Supreme Court Precedent: The Autonomy Argument
To strengthen its stance, the PDP cited a recent Supreme Court judgment that reaffirmed the supremacy of political parties in managing their internal affairs without undue interference from external bodies, including the judiciary.
According to the PDP, that ruling establishes that matters such as the conduct of congresses, conventions, and internal leadership decisions are primarily political, not judicial, questions.
“Our Party notes the recent judgment of the Supreme Court which affirms the supremacy of a political party in the management of its internal affairs,” the statement said, invoking the principle of party autonomy under Nigeria’s constitutional democracy.
The party then urged its members across all chapters, zones, and organs to remain steadfast, united, and focused on preparations for the convention, which it said would go on as planned.
“The PDP therefore charges its members, Chapters, and Organs to remain steadfast and focused on preparations towards the holding of the National Convention of our Party.”
A Legal Challenge on the Horizon
Despite its defiance, the PDP maintained that it would not act outside the law. Instead, it announced plans to appeal the ruling immediately through its legal team.
“Nevertheless, the PDP, 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,” the statement added.
By taking this two-pronged approach — challenging the ruling legally while simultaneously pushing forward with preparations — the PDP appeared to be testing the limits of judicial intervention in political party management.
Political Analysts React: “A Brewing Constitutional Crisis”
Reactions to the PDP’s statement have been mixed. While supporters of the party hailed the leadership’s stance as courageous and necessary to preserve party autonomy, critics warned that the move could plunge the party — and potentially Nigeria’s political system — into a constitutional crisis.
Political analyst Dr. Ayo Olumide, a lecturer in Political Science at the University of Ibadan, described the situation as “a dangerous precedent.”
“If political parties start to openly disregard court orders, it undermines the authority of the judiciary. On the other hand, if courts continually interfere in party matters, it weakens the democratic process within those parties. The system must find balance,” he said.
Others noted that the PDP’s defiance is not without historical context. The party has long viewed judicial interventions as part of a larger strategy by political rivals to destabilize it from within.
A source close to the PDP National Working Committee alleged that “powerful forces outside the party” were behind the lawsuit to delay or disrupt the convention, which is expected to produce a new set of national officers ahead of the 2027 elections.
“This is not the first time elements sympathetic to the ruling party have used the courts to stall opposition activities. But the PDP will not fall for such traps,” the source insisted.
The Convention at Stake: Why It Matters
The planned National Convention in Ibadan is one of the most crucial events in the PDP’s political calendar. It is expected to elect new national officers, including a substantive National Chairman, National Secretary, and other key members of the National Working Committee (NWC).
For many insiders, the convention represents a chance to heal old wounds, resolve leadership disputes, and position the party as a credible alternative to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
After suffering back-to-back losses in the 2019 and 2023 presidential elections, the PDP has struggled to maintain unity among its factions. Disagreements over zoning, internal democracy, and control of state chapters have created fault lines that threaten the party’s cohesion.
The Ibadan convention is thus seen as a make-or-break moment — a test of whether the PDP can reinvent itself or remain mired in internal crises.
A senior PDP official described the convention as “a political rebirth.”
“The PDP has survived worse storms. This convention is not just about electing officers — it’s about restoring confidence, reuniting the family, and preparing for 2027,” the official said.
Behind the Scenes: Fears of Factional Fallout
However, not everyone within the party is optimistic. Some members fear that ignoring the court order could trigger a fresh wave of legal battles that may nullify the outcomes of the convention, rendering newly elected officers illegitimate.
A former member of the party’s Board of Trustees (BoT) warned:
“The PDP must tread carefully. While it is true that the Supreme Court recognizes the autonomy of political parties, it also upholds the authority of the courts. If the convention proceeds in defiance of a valid court order, it could create a legitimacy crisis for the entire leadership.”
This fear is not unfounded. In past political cycles, Nigerian courts have nullified the outcomes of party congresses and conventions on procedural grounds, leading to prolonged leadership disputes that weakened the opposition.
The Broader Context: PDP’s Struggle for Relevance
The controversy comes at a time when the PDP is trying to reclaim political momentum after years in opposition. Once the dominant force that ruled Nigeria for 16 consecutive years (1999–2015), the party has since faced electoral defeats, defections, and internal wrangling.
The current leadership under Acting National Chairman Umar Damagum has been accused by some members of being indecisive and lacking strategic direction. The Ibadan convention, therefore, represents an opportunity to elect a dynamic leadership capable of revitalizing the party’s structures across the country.
The party’s insistence on moving forward despite the court ruling may also be a signal to its base — a demonstration of resilience and determination to challenge what it views as systemic attempts to silence opposition voices.
A Fight Beyond the Courtroom
As of now, the PDP’s lawyers are preparing an appeal to overturn Justice Omotosho’s ruling, while the party’s National Convention Planning Committee continues with logistical preparations in Ibadan.
Sources say venue arrangements, delegate accreditation, and security plans remain on course. The NWC has also held emergency consultations with state chairmen and zonal leaders to ensure turnout and unity of purpose.
Political observers believe that the coming days will be decisive for Nigeria’s oldest and largest opposition party. Whether the PDP can balance legal caution with political necessity will determine its future relevance in the nation’s democratic landscape.
Conclusion — Between Law and Legitimacy
The unfolding battle between the PDP and the Federal High Court is not just a legal dispute — it is a test of Nigeria’s democratic maturity. It highlights the ongoing struggle to define the boundaries between judicial oversight and political autonomy.
For the PDP, the stakes could not be higher. The outcome of this confrontation may either reaffirm its place as a resilient opposition force or plunge it deeper into internal chaos.
As the countdown to November 15 continues, one thing is certain: all eyes are on Ibadan — and on a party determined to show that, court order or not, its political will remains unbroken.
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