PDP insists national convention will hold despite court order

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has declared its intention to continue preparations for its forthcoming national convention, despite a Federal High Court order temporarily halting the exercise.

In a statement released on Thursday, the PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, condemned the ruling, describing it as “an assault on Nigeria’s democratic process” and insisting that the party will not be deterred by what it considers an attempt to undermine internal democracy.

The court, sitting in Abuja, had on Friday issued an injunction restraining the opposition party from conducting the convention initially scheduled for November 15 and 16 in Ibadan, Oyo State.

Presiding judge James Omotosho ruled that the PDP failed to conduct valid state congresses as required by the 1999 Constitution, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) guidelines, and the party’s own constitution.

Omotosho held that official notices signed solely by the national chairman without the national secretary’s co-signature were “invalid” and amounted to a “breach of the law.”

He also faulted the party for not giving INEC the mandatory 21-day notice ahead of its meetings and congresses, a lapse which, he said, hindered the commission’s ability to monitor such activities.

The judge consequently barred INEC from accepting, publishing, or recognising any outcome from the proposed convention until the PDP complies with all statutory requirements.

Reacting to the development, Ologunagba said the judgment does not invalidate the party’s ongoing preparations to elect new national officers.

“However, the PDP states 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,” he said.

He added that a recent Supreme Court ruling reaffirmed “the supremacy of a political party in the management of its internal affairs.”

“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,” Ologunagba added.

“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 judgement in our unwavering determination to uphold, defend and promote multi-party democracy in our country.”