PDP Convention: Stakeholders seek NJC’s action over petition against Justice Akintola

PDP Convention: Stakeholders seek NJC’s action over petition against Justice Akintola

By Emmanuel Oloniruha

A group of stakeholders in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) loyal to FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, has called for urgent action by the National Judicial Council (NJC) on its petition filed against Justice Ladiran Akintola of the Oyo State High Court over his order on the party planned national convention.

The stakeholders, who were plaintiffs in the recent Abuja Federal High Court suit restraining PDP from proceeding with it Nov. 15 and Nov. 15 national convention in Ibadan, made the call a news conference in Abuja on Monday.

The plaintiffs are Austine Nwachukwu, PDP chairman in Imo state; Amah Nnanna, Abia state chairman; and Turnah George, south-south secretary of the party, loyal to the Alhaji Muhammed Abdulrahman led-faction of the PDP National Working Committee.

Nwachukwu speaking on behalf of the plaintiffs urged the NJC to urgently investigate Akintola’s decision to issue an ex parte order permitting the conduct of the PDP national convention in Ibadan contrary to the earlier judgment by the Abuja Federal High Court.

Nwachukwu expressed surprise that the NJC was yet to act on the petition dated Nov. 5, and duly received by the Office of the Chief Justice of Nigeria on Nov. 6, which was submitted by the petitioners on behalf of themselves as critical stakeholders of PDP.

The petition according to Nwachukwu raised serious concerns over what is described as acts of flagrant violation of established legal processes by Justice Akintola, particularly in his decision to issue the ex parte order on Nov. 4.

This order, according to the petitioners, directly contradicts a valid and subsisting judgment of the Federal High Court, Abuja delivered on Oct. 31 in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/2120/2025.

“The order has expressly restrained the PDP from holding its convention on Nov. 15 and Nov. 16 in Ibadan.

“The petitioners rightly contend that Justice Akintola’s action amounts to sitting on appeal over a judgment of a court of coordinate jurisdiction-an act that undermines judicial hierarchy and the sanctity of the rule of law.

“This disturbing development not only threatens the integrity of the Nigerian judiciary but also risks setting a dangerous precedent capable of eroding public confidence in the justice system.

“We therefore call on the NJC to urgently investigate this matter and take decisive action,” he said.

Nwachukwu said action should be taken just as it was done in similar cases involving judicial misconduct in Rivers, Imo State, and other jurisdictions, where they were seen to have acted promptly as soon as the petitions were received by them.

“The NJC must reaffirm its commitment to discipline, impartiality, and the preservation of judicial integrity by ensuring that errant judicial officers are held accountable without delay.

“The Nigerian judiciary must remain the last hope of the common man and not a tool in the hands of those seeking to subvert justice for political expediency.

“The NJC’s prompt and transparent action on this petition will go a long way in restoring faith in the judiciary and reinforcing the principle that no one-no matter how highly placed is above the law,” Nwachukwu said.

He expressed confidence that the NJC would do the needful.

While Justice Omotosho in a judgment in Abuja on Oct. 31, barred the PDP from proceeding with the convention, until compliance with the party’s internal procedures, Justice Akintola on Nov. 4 in Ibadan issued an ex parte order to PDP to hold the event.(NAN)