A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja o Thursday reaffirmed its earlier order directing all parties in the current crisis in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), to maintain the status quo regarding the planned November 15-16 2025 scheduled National Convention of the party.
The National Convention slated to hold in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital has divided the troubled opposition party into two factions. A group led by the Oyo State governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde is insisting that the National Convention must go ahead, while another group let by the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike are of the opinion that the party must unite before going into the National Convention.
The disagreement led to a suit filed by three officers of the party seeking the stoppage of the National Convention. The plaintiffs, Hon. Austin Nwachukwu (Chairman, PDP Imo State), Hon. Amah Abraham Nnanna (Chairman, PDP Abia State) and Hon. Turnah George (Zonal Secretary, PDP South-South) in suit no: FHC/ABJ/CS/2120/2025 are seeking to stop the national convention pending a consensus resolution of the internal crisis in the party.
Hearing the matter on Thursday, the presiding judge, Honourable Justice James Omotosho, reiterated that the court’s previous order mandating all parties to maintain status quo ante remains valid and must not be violated by any party pending the determination of the substantive suit.
The judge warned that any attempt to take actions capable of undermining the court’s authority or rendering its eventual decision ineffective would attract consequential sanctions.
The warning stems from a complaint by the counsel to the National Chairman of the PDP, Chief Chris Uche,SAN, who told the court that his client was restrained by the subsisting order and therefore sought an expedited hearing
Responding, the judge assured all parties that judgment in the case would be delivered before the end of October, stressing that no party would be permitted to employ delay tactics.
He said, “You and I, as lawyers and ministers in the temple of justice, know that once a suit has been filed and parties have been served, the law is that no further step should be taken concerning the subject matter. The court must not be overreached.”
Reiterating the order, Justice Omotosho added that, “Where any party violates this principle, the court has the power to issue consequential orders nullifying such acts. Let us all respect the law; it is in our collective interest. I assure you that judgment will be delivered before the end of October, and copies will be made available immediately.”
The judge subsequently adjourned the matter to Monday, October 20, 2025 for the definite hearing of the originating summons filed by three aggrieved PDP members against the Independent National Electoral Commission and eight others.
The defendants in the suit are INEC, the PDP, Senator Samuel Anyanwu (National Secretary), Umar Bature (National Organising Secretary), the National Working Committee (NWC), and the National Executive Committee of the party.
