The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has expressed dismay over the judgment delivered on Friday, October 31, 2025, by Justice James Kolawole Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, describing it as a grave assault on Nigeria’s democratic process and an affront to judicial neutrality.
In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Hon. Debo Ologunagba, the PDP maintained that the ruling does not in any way vitiate or impede its ongoing preparations toward the forthcoming National Convention to elect new National Officers that will steer the party’s affairs for the next four years.
According to the statement, the PDP reaffirmed its faith in the rule of law and referenced a recent Supreme Court judgment which upheld the supremacy of political parties in managing their internal affairs. The party therefore urged its members, chapters, and organs nationwide to remain resolute and focused on ensuring the success of the convention.
“The PDP, as the leading opposition party in Nigeria, remains committed to the ideals of democracy and due process,” the statement read. “Accordingly, the party has directed its legal team to take immediate steps to appeal this judgment in our unwavering determination to uphold, defend, and promote multi-party democracy in our country.”
Legal experts within the party have expressed strong reservations about the ruling, noting that Justice Omotosho’s interpretation of the PDP Constitution conflicts with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria. They argued that while the PDP Constitution designates the National Legal Adviser as the chief legal officer of the party, it cannot override the constitutional right of any entity, including the NWC, to be represented by a counsel of its choice.
Observers also faulted the judge’s position that 14 state congresses were outstanding, pointing out that congresses had recently been conducted across Niger, Plateau, Ekiti, Ondo, Lagos, and several other states, leaving only a few such as Anambra, Ebonyi, and Cross River unresolved due to subsisting court orders from the Federal High Court, Enugu, which had restrained their conduct.
Party insiders expressed concern that Justice Omotosho ignored these valid orders from a court of coordinate jurisdiction and proceeded to grant reliefs not sought by the plaintiffs. They described the decision as “prejudiced, premeditated, and politically motivated,” alleging that it was designed to serve the political interests of certain individuals determined to destabilize the PDP ahead of its convention.
The party also took exception to the judge’s defense of Senator Samuel Anyanwu, whom he said did not sign the 21-day notice letter to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the convention. Whereas Anyanwu has been pontificating that his signature was forged, the PDP insisted that the issue had already been settled by the Supreme Court, which held that such internal party matters are non-justiciable. “He insists that the suit is between the plaintiffs and INEC, but if that is the case, how then were the PDP, its NWC, and NEC dragged into the matter?” a senior party source queried.
Despite what it described as a “blatant miscarriage of justice,” the PDP reiterated its resolve to proceed with its National Convention as scheduled, stressing that no amount of judicial manipulation or political blackmail would derail the collective will of its members.
“The PDP will not succumb to intimidation or distraction,” the source stated. “We shall rise above political scheming and judicial compromises. The party will proceed with its National Convention and continue to serve as the bastion of democracy in Nigeria.”
The statement concluded by assuring Nigerians and party faithful that the PDP will continue to defend democratic values, uphold the rule of law, and protect the integrity of the judiciary from undue political interference.
