A Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice James Omotosho, has issued a significant ruling that has halted the planned National Convention of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), originally scheduled for November 15 and 16, 2025, in Ibadan, Oyo State. The court's decision was based on findings that the PDP failed to adhere to critical legal provisions governing such conventions, including its own constitution, the 1999 Nigerian Constitution, and the Electoral Act 2022. Key violations cited by the court included the absence of valid state congresses in 14 states, the party's failure to provide the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) with the mandatory 21-day notice before its meetings and congresses, and irregularities in the signing of party notices and correspondence, which were exclusively signed by the National Chairman without the required counter-signature from the National Secretary.

The suit challenging the legality of the convention was filed by three senior PDP officials: Austin Nwachukwu (Imo State Chairman), Amah Abraham Nnanna (Abia State Chairman), and Turnah George (South-South Secretary). These plaintiffs are reportedly political allies of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, who has been a vocal critic of the convention. The court, in its judgment, restrained INEC from recognizing, publishing, or accepting the outcome of any national convention held without strict compliance with all statutory requirements, thereby placing the planned event in jeopardy.

Reactions to the judgment have been sharply divided within the party. FCT Minister Nyesom Wike lauded the court's decision as