Frontline Aspirant of PDP North Central Zonal Chairmanship Goes to Court Over Controversial North Central Congress
Oru Leonard
A renowned party stalwart, Hon. Stephen Abraham Ajiya has sued PDP, INEC Over Controversial North Central Congress.
The court has set July 17 Date for unfolding legal battle at the Federal High Court in Abuja as Hon. Stephen Abraham Ajiya, has filed a lawsuit against the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Hon. Abdulrahman Mohammed, the PDP North Central Zonal Congress Appeal Panel, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The suit, which challenges the legitimacy of the PDP North Central Zonal Congress held on May 24, 2025, in Jos, Plateau State, is scheduled for mention on July 17, 2025, before Justice Emeka Nwite was registered as FHC/ABJ/CS/111/2025.
Ajiya’s legal action stems from what he describes as a fraudulent and unconstitutional congress that produced Hon. Abdulrahman Mohammed as the zonal chairman. He alleges that the process was riddled with irregularities, including vote-buying, rigging, and manipulation.
Central to his claim is the absence of INEC at the congress, which he argues invalidates the entire process. According to Ajiya, INEC declined to monitor the event due to an improperly signed invitation letter, a violation he says was deliberate and orchestrated to sideline transparency.
In his statement of claim, Ajiya asserts that the congress was not only unlawful but also a betrayal of the PDP’s democratic values. He contends that the internal appeal mechanisms of the party were deliberately blocked, leaving him with no option but to seek redress in court. He further argues that Hon. Abdulrahman Mohammed was not qualified to contest, having failed to resign from his position as Deputy National Auditor of the party at least 30 days before the election, as required by law.
The plaintiff is asking the court to declare the congress null and void, to restrain INEC and the PDP from recognizing or dealing with Abdulrahman Mohammed as the zonal chairman, and to order a fresh congress conducted under lawful conditions. Alternatively, he is seeking to be declared the validly elected candidate, being the only qualified aspirant who participated in the congress.
This lawsuit has sent ripples through the PDP’s North Central structure, with Ajiya accusing senior party figures of colluding with external interests to undermine the party’s internal democracy. He claims that financial inducements were offered to silence him, which he rejected, stating emphatically that he is “not for sale.”
As July 17 approaches, the case is poised to test the PDP’s commitment to internal democracy and could have far-reaching implications for the party’s future in the region. The outcome may not only determine the leadership of the North Central zone but also set a precedent for how political parties in Nigeria conduct their internal elections.
The political landscape is watching closely as the court prepares to weigh in on what could become a landmark case in Nigeria’s democratic evolution.
