PDP Stakeholders Petition NJC Over Justice Akintola’s Convention Ruling

The leadership crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has deepened as some party stakeholders petitioned the National Judicial Council (NJC) against Justice Ladiran Akintola of the Oyo State High Court over his ruling permitting the party to hold its national convention in Ibadan.

The petitioners accused Justice Akintola of judicial misconduct, alleging that his ex parte order contradicted an earlier decision by the Federal High Court, Abuja, which had barred the PDP from convening the event.

Two weeks earlier, Justice James Omotosho of the Abuja court restrained the party from holding the convention, citing non-compliance with internal procedures and failure to properly notify the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

However, Justice Akintola reportedly vacated that restriction last week, granting the PDP leave to proceed with the event in Ibadan — a move that has drawn strong criticism from opposing factions within the party.

Petitioners Allege Judicial Overreach

In a petition dated November 5, 2025, and acknowledged by the Office of the Chief Justice of Nigeria on November 6, three PDP stakeholders — Austine Nwachukwu, Amah Nnanna, and Turnah George — described the ruling as “judicial recklessness, impunity, and a violation of legal processes.”

Addressing journalists in Abuja on Monday, Nwachukwu, who identified himself as the embattled PDP chairman in Imo State, appeared alongside Nnanna, his Abia counterpart. The third petitioner, George, was absent.

According to them, Justice Akintola’s order, issued on November 4, directly conflicted with the subsisting Federal High Court ruling of October 31, 2025 (Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/2120/2025), which restrained the PDP from holding its convention on November 15–16.

They argued that Justice Akintola effectively sat on appeal over a decision of a court of coordinate jurisdiction — a “grave breach of judicial ethics and a threat to the rule of law.”

Call for NJC Intervention

“This disturbing development not only undermines the integrity of the judiciary but also sets a dangerous precedent capable of eroding public confidence in the justice system,”
— Nwachukwu, speaking to reporters in Abuja.

The petitioners urged the NJC to investigate and discipline the judge, warning that failure to act could embolden other judicial officers to act outside established legal boundaries.

They further cited past disciplinary actions taken by the Council against judges in Rivers, Imo, and other states, urging similar measures in this case.

“The judiciary must remain the last hope of the common man, not a tool for political manipulation. Prompt action by the NJC will reaffirm its commitment to integrity and restore public faith in the system,”
— the petitioners added.