A Federal High Court in Abuja has declined a request for an interim injunction to halt two major upcoming events planned by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The party can, for now, proceed with its National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting scheduled for 15th October and its national convention set for 15th-16th November in Ibadan.
The legal challenge was brought by three party officials: Austin Nwachukwu (Imo State Chairman), Amah Nnanna (Abia State Chairman), and Turnah George (Secretary of the PDP South-south zone). They had filed a motion against both the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the PDP itself.
Through their team of lawyers, led by Joseph Daudu, the plaintiffs asked the court to stop INEC from monitoring or recognising any PDP meetings or conventions that were not called with proper notice and democratic procedures.
They specifically sought to block the party’s leadership from holding the October NEC meeting and the November national convention.
However, in a ruling delivered on Thursday, the judge, J.K. Omotosho, refused to grant this interim order. He stated that the defendants—INEC, the PDP, and its principal officers—must first be formally served with the substantive motion and given a chance to respond before any restraining order could be considered.
“The Motion Ex parte for Interim Injunction is hereby refused. The Plaintiffs/Applicants are hereby ordered to serve the Defendants with the Motion on Notice for Interlocutory Injunction,” the judge said.
Justice Omotosho also issued a strong caution to all parties involved. He warned them against taking any actions that could undermine the ongoing legal process and make the final outcome meaningless. He emphasised that any decisions or acts taken to frustrate the pending judicial proceedings would be considered null and void.
The case has been adjourned until 14th October for the hearing of the motion for an interlocutory injunction.
The plaintiffs, believed to be allies of the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, are seeking to compel INEC to ensure the PDP follows its own constitution and democratic norms.
With the court’s refusal to issue an immediate injunction, the PDP’s planned meetings are not legally halted at this stage, though all sides have been warned to maintain the status quo until the matter is fully heard.
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