Despite a court order halting the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)’s national convention, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has been reported to have observed the event, which held on Saturday in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
The convention, which attracted key stakeholders of the party from across the country, went on as scheduled, even as controversy continues to trail the legality of the gathering.
This development follows a ruling by the Federal High Court in Abuja earlier in the week, which restrained the PDP from conducting any national convention without including former Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido, as a contestant. The court also directed INEC not to monitor or recognise any such gathering pending compliance with the ruling.
However, INEC officials were sighted at the venue of the PDP convention in Ibadan, reportedly carrying out observation duties despite the legal directive.
This has sparked mixed reactions from party members, legal analysts, and political observers who question the implications of INEC’s presence at the event and what it could mean for the legitimacy of any outcomes from the convention.
As of press time, neither INEC nor the PDP has issued an official statement addressing the situation or clarifying their positions in light of the court order.
More updates to follow.
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