"Sam Amadi: The Legality and Strength of the PDP Convention Explained"

Table of Contents

1. Validity of the PDP Convention
2. Court Orders and Their Impact
3. Criticism of INEC
4. Legitimacy of the Board of Trustees
5. Supreme Court Ruling Clarification
6. Response to Expulsions

The Director of the Abuja School of Social and Political Thought, Dr. Sam Amadi, has asserted that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) convention is valid and legally recognized, despite previous conflicting court rulings.

In an interview with Arise News on Saturday, Amadi stated that the most recent court order issued prior to the convention allowed the event to proceed, rendering earlier contradictory orders ineffective.

He explained that the dispute surrounding the party’s leadership crisis was exacerbated by what he described as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) failing to act as a regulatory authority, along with courts issuing “contradictory and unnecessary” ex parte orders.

Amadi contended that the convention was legally supported, emphasizing that the latest court decision endorsed its execution.

“This convention has legal backing,” Amadi declared.

“If I recall correctly, the latest decision issued on Friday favored the convention. Therefore, it cannot be deemed illegal.

“Unfortunately, we have courts authorizing and counter-authorizing actions, which is the real issue,” he stated.

Amadi noted that this situation underscores a growing concern in Nigeria, where political figures hastily seek favorable injunctions instead of allowing established procedures to unfold.

He criticized INEC for allegedly neglecting its quasi-judicial responsibilities by consistently deferring to the courts.

He clarified that political parties are expected to submit leadership documents to INEC, which should then verify and make determinations before judicial review becomes necessary.

He maintained that the available facts indicate the legitimacy of the current Board of Trustees (BoT), asserting that it has been operational for over three years and cannot be replaced arbitrarily.

Regarding claims that the Supreme Court prohibits judicial intervention in party matters, Amadi clarified that the ruling only prevents courts from selecting party leaders, not from reviewing whether parties adhere to their internal rules.

In response to the recent expulsions of several high-profile members, including Nyesom Wike and Ayodele Fayose, he emphasized the importance of due process but questioned the loyalty of party figures allegedly collaborating with rival political platforms.