Court Orders INEC and PDP’s James Ugwu to Halt Southeast Zonal Congress Plans
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Southeast Zonal Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr. James Ugwu, have been urged to avoid any actions that could amount to contempt of court regarding the alleged Southeast zonal congress of the PDP.
In separate letters addressed to both INEC and Mr. Ugwu, the counsel representing Barr. Mike Nwankwo, who had previously obtained a court order prohibiting the PDP from conducting the zonal congress in the Southeast, drew attention to the subsisting court order from suit no: FCT/HC/CV/325/2025. The order specifically forbids the congress from proceeding.
The letters, signed by Kalu Kalu Agu, the lead counsel, reminded INEC that the electoral body had previously entered an appearance in the case and had expressed its commitment to obey the court order. In accordance with the order, INEC had already withdrawn its staff from the scheduled Southeast zonal congress on February 22, 2025, which was ultimately called off.
The letter further alerted INEC that, in accordance with the PDP constitution, only the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party had the authority to conduct zonal congresses. As of the failed congress on February 22, 2025, the NWC had not set a new date for the event.
There have been circulating rumors on social media, suggesting that the embattled National Vice Chairman of the PDP in the Southeast, Mr. Ali Odefa, along with Zonal Secretary Mr. James Ugwu, had been distributing WhatsApp messages claiming the Southeast zonal congress was rescheduled for February 26, 2025.
In response to these rumors, Mr. Kalu issued a stern warning to both Mr. Ugwu and INEC, urging them to steer clear of any action that might be seen as contempt of court. He also advised the general public, particularly PDP members in the Southeast, to disregard such messages, as the NWC of the PDP, which is the only body with the authority to conduct the congress, has not yet set a new date for the event.
