By our correspondent
Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, has reaffirmed that his earlier order maintaining the status quo on matters relating to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Convention remains valid and must not be violated by any of the parties involved in the suit.
At the Thursday proceedings, the judge emphasized that no party should take any action that could undermine or render the decision of the court meaningless, warning that he would not hesitate to issue consequential orders against any party that resorts to self-help.
Justice Omotosho’s remarks followed a complaint by PDP’s counsel, Chief Chris Uche (SAN), who stated that his client had been constrained by the subsisting order and, therefore, sought an expedited hearing of the case.
The judge assured that the court would deliver judgment in the matter before the end of October to allow all parties know their standing, cautioning that no tactics would be tolerated to delay the proceedings.
“You and I, as lawyers and ministers in the temple of justice, know that once a suit is filed and parties have been served with processes, the law forbids any of them from taking further steps on the matter,” Justice Omotosho stated
“The court must not be overreached, and where that happens, it retains the power to issue consequential orders nullifying such actions. Let us respect the law—it is in our collective interest. I can assure you that this court’s decision will come between now and the end of October. I personally type my judgments, so there will be no delays,” he added.
The court has fixed Monday, October 20, for the definite hearing of the originating summons in the suit filed by three aggrieved PDP members against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and eight others.
Justice Omotosho directed that all filed processes must be exchanged by October 17 to allow for a smooth hearing.
During the session, PDP’s National Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade (SAN), maintained his position as the party’s representative, while Chief Chris Uche (SAN) also appeared for the same party. The judge directed both lawyers to file the necessary papers for him to determine the party’s proper legal representation.
The plaintiffs in the suit are Hon. Austin Nwachukwu (Imo PDP Chairman), Hon. Amah Abraham Nnanna (Abia PDP Chairman), and Turnah Alabh George (PDP Secretary, South-South).
They are seeking to halt the PDP’s planned National Convention scheduled for November 15 and 16, 2025, in Ibadan, Oyo State, where new national officers are expected to be elected.
The nine defendants in the case include the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the PDP, National Secretary Samuel Anyanwu, National Organizing Secretary Umar Bature, the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) and National Executive Committee (NEC), as well as Ambassador Umar Iliya Damagum, Ali Odefa, and Emmanuel Ogidi.
