*Over failure to comply with own in-house regulations
The Federal High Court, sitting in Abuja, has restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognizing whatever will be the outcome of the forthcoming 2025 National Convention of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), slated for November 15th and 16th in Ibadan, Oyo State.
Justice James Omotosho gave the order on Friday, while delivering judgment in a suit challenging the legality of the proposed convention.
The Judge predicated the decision on the grounds that the PDP failed to comply with the relevant party’s conditions and laws it had set out for the conduct of such conventions.
The Judge held that the evidence from the electoral umpire and some of the respondents, showed clearly that prior congresses were not held in some states of the federation in breach of its set out bylaws.
In addition, the court held that the signing of notices and correspondences of the party for the convention by its National Chairman without the National Secretary, violated the party’s internal bylaw and consequently made such notices and correspondences a nullity.
Besides, Omotosho held that the PDP failed to issue the mandatory 21 days notice of meetings and congresses to enable INEC carry out its mandatory duty of monitoring such meetings and congresses.
Justice Omotosho held that the failure of the PDP to comply with the bylaw has put the planned convention in jeopardy, and subsequently advised the PDP to take the necessary steps as outlined in its laws before going ahead with the election.
He therefore restrained INEC from receiving, publishing or recognizing the outcome of the convention slated for Ibadan on November 15th and 16th, until the law has been complied with.
