Wike Brags, Mocks PDP As Court Stops National Convention
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja, Nyesom Wike, has backed a court ruling that halted the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) National Convention slated for November 15 and 16, 2025, calling it “a very wise decision.”
Wike made the remarks on Friday evening while addressing some PDP stakeholders at his residence in Abuja.
“If you don’t follow the law, then there’s nothing we can do. There’s nothing we can do. It’s unfortunate that the National Convention cannot hold; the purported national convention,” the minister stated.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had also rejected the judgment of the Federal High Court in Abuja stopping its planned national convention, describing the ruling as “an assault on Nigeria’s democratic process.”
In a statement titled “PDP Planned National Convention Not Vitiated by Court” and issued on Friday by its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, the party vowed to go ahead with all its planned activities and internal processes ahead of the convention to elect new national officers.
“The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is appalled by the judgment of the Federal High Court Abuja, presided over by Honorable Justice Kolawole Omotosho today, describing it as an assault on Nigeria’s democratic process,” the statement read.
It was earlier reported that a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja restrained the PDP from proceeding with its planned national convention scheduled to hold in Ibadan, Oyo State capital, next month.
Justice James Omotosho issued the order while ruling on a suit seeking to determine whether the party could legally conduct the convention slated for November 15 and 16.
But the PDP spokesperson insisted that the judgment does not in any way stop the party from carrying on with its internal arrangements.
“The PDP states that the judgment of the court does not vitiate its ability to proceed with the processes and activities towards the National Convention to elect new National Officers to pilot the affairs of the Party for the next four years,” he said.
The PDP cited a recent Supreme Court ruling affirming the supremacy of political parties in managing their internal affairs as a basis for its decision to continue preparations.
“Our Party notes the recent judgment of the Supreme Court, which affirms the supremacy of a political party in the management of its internal affairs,” the statement added.
The opposition party directed its members, chapters, and organs to remain resolute and focused on the upcoming convention.
“The PDP therefore charges its members, Chapters, and Organs to remain steadfast and focused on preparations towards the holding of the National Convention of our Party,” the statement added.
While expressing its commitment to due process, the party said it would appeal the ruling immediately.
“Nevertheless, the PDP, as the leading opposition Party in Nigeria, committed to the Rule of Law, has accordingly directed its lawyers to take immediate action to appeal this judgment in our unwavering determination to uphold, defend, and promote multi-party democracy in our country,” Ologunagba stated.
The suit was filed by three senior PDP officials — Austine Nwachukwu, the Imo State chairman; Amah Abraham Nnanna, the Abia State chairman; and Turnah George, the South-South secretary of the party.
The defendants in the case include the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the PDP, National Secretary Samuel Anyanwu, National Organising Secretary Umar Bature, the National Working Committee (NWC), and the National Executive Committee (NEC).
The plaintiffs, said to be political allies of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, a vocal critic of the upcoming convention, urged the court to halt the exercise, arguing that the PDP failed to comply with its own constitution, the 1999 Constitution, and the Electoral Act during preparations for the convention.
Their counsel argued that “no congress was conducted in 14 states,” stressing that the matter was not a mere internal party issue but a question of legality and compliance with due process.
However, the PDP, in its defence, maintained that the case falls strictly within its internal affairs and therefore lies outside the court’s jurisdiction.
The party accused the claimants of attempting to disrupt a legitimate leadership transition process.
