The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has defied a Federal High Court order by proceeding with the election of zonal committee members and national ex-officio representatives for the North East region.
The election, held in Bauchi State on Saturday, came a day after Justice Obiora Atuegwu Egwuatu of the Federal High Court in Abuja issued an order restraining the party from conducting the poll. The ruling, delivered on February 21, 2025, in suit No: FHC/ABJCS/298/2025, directed the PDP and its leadership to maintain the status quo pending further proceedings scheduled for February 25, 2025.
Despite the court’s directive, the PDP proceeded with the congress, where Alhaji Babangida Modibbo Umar emerged as the new North East Zonal Chairman. The election, which took place at the Dr. Rilwanu Suleiman Adamu Square, Government House, Bauchi, saw all 22 contestants elected unopposed.
The congress was attended by key figures, including the Acting National Chairman of the PDP, Amb Umar Iliya Damagun, and governors from Adamawa, Bauchi, and Taraba states.
Other notable attendees included Senator Abdul Ahmed Ningi, Senator Hassan Dankombo, former Bauchi State governor Ahmed Adamu Mu’azu, and several national and state assembly members.
Chairman of the Electoral Committee, Architect Ruben Okoya, announced the results, emphasizing the seamless nature of the election. Meanwhile, the PDP’s national leadership hailed the congress as a demonstration of the party’s unity and strength ahead of its national convention.
Newly elected zonal Chairman, Babangida Modibbo Umar, expressed gratitude to the delegates and pledged to uphold their confidence in him. He takes over from Rev. Emmanuel Bovoa of Taraba State.
The North East zonal congress is part of the PDP’s broader reorganization strategy in preparation for the 2025 national convention. The party has already released a timetable for zonal congresses nationwide, aimed at electing new zonal working committees and national ex-officio members.
However, the decision to proceed with the congress in defiance of a court order may trigger legal consequences, as the case remains pending before the Federal High Court.