Court Rejects Move by Wike Allies to Halt PDP Convention

A Federal High Court in Abuja has rejected an attempt by allies of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, to stop the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from holding its upcoming meetings and national convention.

Justice James Omotosho, in a ruling delivered on Thursday, declined to grant an interim injunction sought by the plaintiffs to restrain the PDP and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from proceeding with the party’s scheduled leadership meetings and convention.

The suit, filed by Austine Nwachukwu (Imo State PDP chairman), Amah Abraham Nnanna (Abia State chairman), and Turnah George (South-South secretary of the PDP), sought to stop the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting slated for October 18 and the national convention scheduled for November 15–16 in Ibadan, Oyo State.

The plaintiffs—seen as close associates of Wike—argued that the PDP leadership failed to issue proper notices and follow due democratic processes before convening the events. They also asked the court to bar INEC from monitoring or participating in the planned gatherings.

Wike, though still a PDP member, has been accused of working to weaken the opposition ahead of President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 re-election campaign. He had earlier met with PDP members from the South-South and South-East regions, pushing for the postponement of the convention initially fixed for August.

However, in his ruling, Justice Omotosho refused to issue the ex parte order, stating that the motion for interim injunction was “hereby refused.” He directed the plaintiffs to serve their motion on notice to all defendants for a full hearing.

The judge further warned all parties against taking any steps that could undermine the court’s eventual decision.

“All parties in this suit, upon being served with this order and the motion on notice, must not take any action that will make the outcome of the court’s ruling ineffective,” Omotosho said.

The case was adjourned to October 14, 2025, for the hearing of the substantive motion.