The storm rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has taken a dramatic turn as the Federal High Court in Abuja ordered all parties to halt preparations for the party’s national convention scheduled for November 15 and 16, 2025, in Ibadan, Oyo State.

Delivering the ruling on Thursday, Justice James Omotosho reaffirmed his earlier order maintaining the status quo, warning that any move to defy the directive would attract “consequential sanctions.”

“You and I, as lawyers and ministers in the temple of justice, know that once a suit has been filed and parties have been served, the law is that no further step should be taken concerning the subject matter. The court must not be overreached,” Omotosho said.

He added,“Where any party violates this principle, the court has the power to issue consequential orders nullifying such acts. Let us all respect the law; it is in our collective interest. I assure you that judgment will be delivered before the end of October, and copies will be made available immediately.”

The court’s order followed a complaint by Chief Chris Uche (SAN), counsel to the PDP, who said the party was bound by the existing order and urged the court to fast-track the case to prevent chaos within the party’s ranks.

The ruling is part of a case filed by three aggrieved PDP officials — Austin Nwachukwu (Imo PDP Chairman), Amah Abraham Nnanna (Abia PDP Chairman), and Turnah George (South-South PDP Secretary) — who are seeking to stop the planned convention entirely.

In the suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2120/2025, the plaintiffs dragged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the PDP, and key party figures including Senator Samuel Anyanwu (National Secretary), Umar Bature (National Organising Secretary), and the National Working Committee (NWC) before the court.

They allege that the PDP failed to hold valid congresses to elect delegates ahead of the convention — an omission they argue renders the entire process illegal.

The plaintiffs also asked the court to restrain INEC from recognising any outcome of the convention unless it complies fully with the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the Electoral Act 2022, and INEC’s 2022 Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties.

At the last sitting, the court joined Umar Damagum, Ali Odefa, and Emmanuel Ogidi as additional defendants after a successful application for joinder.

Justice Omotosho has fixed October 20 for definite hearing of the case and directed all parties to exchange their legal filings by October 17.

During Thursday’s proceedings, both Chief Uche (SAN) and the PDP’s National Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade (SAN), appeared for the party. However, the judge ordered both to file formal papers to determine the PDP’s rightful legal representative.

With the court’s latest ruling, the PDP’s much-anticipated national convention hangs in the balance — deepening the uncertainty over the opposition party’s internal crisis and raising fresh doubts about its readiness for the 2027 general elections.