A Federal High Court in Abuja has halted the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) planned 2025 national convention, pending compliance with the party’s rules, the Nigerian Constitution, and the Electoral Act.

Justice James Omotosho issued the order while ruling on a suit brought by three dissatisfied members of the opposition party, who argued that due process was not being followed ahead of the convention.

The court also restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from accepting or recognising any report from a national convention conducted without strict adherence to legal and party guidelines.

In his judgment, Justice Omotosho held that INEC cannot validate or act on the outcome of a convention that fails to comply with the Constitution, Electoral Act, and internal party regulations.

The claimants told the court that the PDP had scheduled its national convention for November 15 and 16, 2025, in Ibadan, Oyo State, where new national officers were expected to emerge, but insisted the process violated the party’s constitution.

The defendants in the suit include INEC; the PDP; National Secretary Samuel Anyanwu; National Organizing Secretary Umar Bature; the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) and National Executive Committee (NEC); as well as Ambassador Umar Iliya Damagum, Ali Odefa, and Emmanuel Ogidi.

Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has accused the federal government of deliberately withholding local government allocations meant for the state due to political differences.

Speaking through his deputy, Kola Adeusi, at a two-day Southwest Summit on Democracy and Federalism in Ondo State, Adeleke said Osun has been subjected to “politically-motivated marginalisation” by the federal authorities since he assumed office in 2022.

He alleged that funds designated for local government administration in the state were seized without legal justification, describing the situation as a violation of constitutional provisions on financial autonomy and inter-governmental cooperation.

“There is an ongoing wilful breach of the constitution to deprive a sub-national entity of its due rights simply because it does not belong to the same party with the ruling party at the centre,” Adeleke said.

The governor claimed that several federal programmes and projects intended for Osun have been rerouted through political party structures rather than official state institutions, adding that the development has weakened governance delivery at the grassroots level.

Adeleke further alleged that some political actors in Abuja have frustrated efforts to rehabilitate federal roads and revive abandoned federal projects within the state. He also accused federal security agencies of shielding members of the ruling party in cases of alleged misconduct, while using security institutions to intimidate officials of the state government.

“In Osun today, federal party officials boast of powers to deploy security apparatus to witch-hunt state officials,” he said.

Despite the challenges, the governor said his administration has recorded improvements across key sectors including health, education, and debt management. According to him, Osun now ranks highest in the Southwest in access to primary healthcare and has reduced its debt burden by more than 40 percent.

He called on leaders in the Southwest to prioritise regional development over partisan rivalry, advocating for a circular cargo railway, development of dry ports, and stronger support for the regional security outfit, Amotekun.

“The south-west must elevate power applications beyond partisan considerations,” he said. “We must never deploy federal power against ourselves, no matter our political differences.”

Backlash has trailed the presence of Nyesom Wike, minister of the federal capital territory (FCT), at the 2025 Asia Pacific Cities Summit and Mayors’ Forum in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), alongside his two sons.

The summit, which commenced on Monday, is scheduled to end today. It is organised by the Brisbane City Council in Australia to strengthen city-to-city partnerships and promote business and governance collaboration.

Wike departed Abuja for Dubai on Monday in company of senior officials of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) including Richard Dauda, acting executive secretary of the federal capital development authority (FCDA); Benedict Daudu, senior special assistant on legal and multilateral cooperation; Mukhtar Galadima, director of development and control; Chuks Udeh, director of engineering services; and Sani Daura, director of protocol.

Also seen with him at the event were his sons, Joaquin and Jordan.

The minister participated in a panel session titled: “From data-rich to data-smart: Unlocking urban intelligence for the next generation of cities.”

On Tuesday, Lere Olayinka, media aide to the minister, shared images of Wike and his children at the summit, captioning them:

“When e reach your turn, carry your enemies travel. Hissssssssssssh.”

The development sparked reactions from Nigerians on social media, with many accusing the minister of using public resources to sponsor his children on official trips.

This is not the first time Wike has faced criticism regarding his sons. In July 2025, he denied allegations that he allocated plots of land in Maitama and Asokoro to them.

Below are some reactions:

“Nigeria is quietly sliding into a political monarchy…” — @Mimi_yakigar

“Wike is doing what Tinubu started.” — @AishaYesufu

“Dem go serve father, dem go serve sons.” — @ibkzzle0

“New taxes so Wike can fly his children abroad for pointless engagements.” — @AnotherAnowa

Wike has not responded to the latest criticism as of press time.