Court bars INEC from monitoring and recognising PDP’s National Convention

Federal High Court in Abuja has issued an order stopping the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from monitoring or recognising the results of the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) proposed national convention.

Delivering judgment on Friday, Justice James Omotosho ruled that the PDP did not adhere to the statutory procedures required for the conduct of its convention.

According to the judge, evidence presented by INEC and some respondents revealed that the party failed to conduct congresses in several states, an omission that runs contrary to electoral laws.

Justice Omotosho further declared that the signing of official party notices and correspondence solely by the PDP National Chairman, without the counter-signature of the National Secretary, was unlawful. He stated that such documents “are rendered null and void” as they violate the party’s constitutional provisions.

The court also observed that the PDP neglected to give INEC the mandatory 21-day notice ahead of its meetings and congresses, a requirement that allows the electoral body to fulfil its monitoring role as stipulated by law.

“The failure of the PDP to comply with the law has placed its planned convention in jeopardy,” Justice Omotosho noted, advising the party to correct the procedural lapses before proceeding with the exercise.

Consequently, the court restrained INEC from monitoring, receiving, publishing, or recognising the outcome of the convention scheduled for November 15 and 16 in Ibadan, Oyo State, until the party meets all legal requirements.