A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has once again restrained the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from conducting its planned national convention, following an ex parte motion filed by aggrieved party members challenging the legality of the process.
The interim order, issued on Monday, November 10, 2025, by Justice Inyang Ekwo, came after the applicants sought judicial intervention to stop the PDP from proceeding with its convention pending the determination of a substantive suit questioning the legitimacy of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC).
In the ruling, Justice Ekwo directed all parties to maintain the status quo ante bellum, warning that any action taken in violation of the order would amount to contempt of court. The matter has been adjourned for hearing on November 18, 2025.
The plaintiffs, identified as concerned members of the party from various states, argued that the current NWC lacked the constitutional authority to organize or oversee any convention, citing unresolved leadership disputes, alleged financial mismanagement, and factional control within key organs of the PDP.
A senior member of the legal team representing the applicants said the motion was necessary to “protect the integrity of the party’s constitution and prevent further violations of internal democratic norms.” He added that the court’s intervention was a last resort to compel the party to “return to legality and due process.”
The PDP had earlier announced plans to hold its national convention in Port Harcourt later this month to elect new national officers and set a new direction ahead of the 2027 general elections. However, the latest court order has thrown those plans into uncertainty.
Reacting to the development, the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, said the party’s legal team was reviewing the judgment and would take appropriate steps. “We are a law-abiding party and will respond through the proper legal channels. Our commitment to internal democracy remains unshaken,” he stated.
Political observers say the latest court order underscores the deepening leadership crisis within the PDP, which has struggled to regain national prominence since losing power in 2015. Several analysts believe the party’s recurring internal battles continue to weaken its position as Nigeria’s main opposition force.
A political analyst, Dr. Okey Nwosu, said the situation reflects “a crisis of identity and control” within the PDP. “Until the party resolves its internal fractures and enforces discipline, it will remain vulnerable to judicial interventions and political irrelevance,” he added.
With the court order in effect, the PDP faces yet another delay in its efforts to reposition ahead of the next electoral cycle. As party stakeholders brace for the next hearing, questions remain about the future of the once-dominant political force and its ability to navigate its internal conflicts.
