Why Sam Amadi Says the PDP Convention Is Legally Sound — Even as Courts Clash
In a highly charged political moment, Dr. Sam Amadi, former Chairman of Nigeria’s Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), has defended the legality of the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) much-disputed national convention. His posture comes amid a cascade of contradictory court rulings, internal party infighting, and challenges from senior PDP figures. Here’s a full breakdown of Amadi’s argument — and what makes his position especially noteworthy in the current political tempest.
The Legal Maze: Multiple Court Orders, Conflicting Judgments
To understand what Amadi is defending, one must first grasp how legally fraught the PDP’s convention path has become.
1. Court Injunction to Maintain the Status Quo
On October 16, 2025, a Federal High Court in Abuja, under Justice James Omotosho, reaffirmed an earlier order that all parties maintain the status quo. The judge expressly warned that no action should be taken that risks undermining ongoing litigation tied to the convention.
2. Court Blocks the Convention Entirely
On October 31, 2025, the same court ruled decisively against PDP proceeding as planned. Justice Omotosho held that the PDP failed to conduct valid state congresses — a legal prerequisite — and also violated its own constitution, the 1999 Constitution, and INEC regulations. The judge further declared that INEC must not recognize or publish any outcome of a convention held under these breaches.
3. Fresh Court Restraining Order
A separate development came when Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court granted an order, at the behest of former governor Sule Lamido, restraining PDP from holding the convention and barring INEC from supervising or recognizing its results. This ruling echoed earlier concerns about procedural irregularities — including the non-publication of a proper timetable and exclusion of key aspirants.
4. A Contradictory Ruling from Oyo State Court
Not all courts agree with the Abuja judges. On November 4, 2025, an Oyo State High Court (Justice A. L. Akintola) ordered the PDP and its acting national chairman, Umar Damagum, to go ahead. That court enjoined INEC to monitor and observe the convention.
5. Party Moves Forward Despite Legal Risk
Undeterred, the PDP pressed on. On November 14, 2025, reports confirmed that preparations for the convention at the Lekan Salami Stadium in Ibadan were ongoing, even as the party publicly insisted it was “irrevocable” in holding the event.
Sam Amadi’s Defense: Why He Believes the Convention Stands
Against this backdrop of legal uncertainty, Sam Amadi has stepped forward with a robust defense of the convention’s legitimacy.
Rule of Law Over Impunity
Amadi has framed his argument around the rule of law. He insists that the convention's planning, procedures, and timetable should reflect legal standards and internal party democracy — not backdoor manipulations. While he has criticized some aspects of his own party’s structure and leadership, he argues that complicity in democratic processes is more important than factional dominance.
Respect for PDP’s Constitution
Drawing on the party's foundational documents, Amadi underscores that PDP must abide by its own constitution, as well as national laws. He has aligned with court pronouncements that highlight irregularities — but rather than capitulate, he sees reform as the path forward.
Avoiding Self-Help and Extra-Judicial Maneuvers
Amadi appears deeply wary of “self-help” tactics — when party factions try to override the courts through force or unilateral moves. He strongly leans into legal channels, public accountability, and institutional process, positioning himself against any anarchic or unilateral takeover.
Concern Over Party Collapse
In his public commentary, Amadi has lamented what he perceives as the PDP’s self-destruction — particularly pointing to a reliance on the financial influence of powerful insiders. For him, defending the convention isn’t simply about procedure: it’s a matter of saving the party’s integrity and restoring it to democratic governance, not just power politics.
Why His Position Matters — and Why It’s Controversial
Bridge Between Factions
Amadi’s voice carries weight. He isn’t a rank-and-file partisan agitator; he’s a respected technocrat and former regulator. As such, his defense of legalism could bridge divides within PDP — between Wike loyalists, Damagum’s camp, and aggrieved aspirants like Lamido.
Moral and Legal High Ground
In siding with strict adherence to legal procedures, Amadi stakes out a moral high ground. He signals that legitimacy must come not by brute force, but through transparent, lawful processes — a stance that resonates deeply in Nigeria’s fraught political environment.
Risk of Pushback
But Amadi’s position is not without risk. If the convention proceeds without full compliance — or worse, if court orders are flouted — then his defense of legality could be undermined. Moreover, different courts issuing contradictory orders muddy the water, making it harder for any faction to claim absolute legitimacy.
The Bottom Line: A Convention Under Siege — But Also Defended
Sam Amadi may not be one of the convention chairmen or a leading aspirant, but his defense of the PDP’s convention is strategically and morally potent. He is not merely arguing that the convention should happen — he is making the case how it should happen: under rule of law, with full respect for party constitution, and without shortcuts.
In a time of internal distrust, legal entanglements, and potential schism, Amadi’s position could become a rallying point for those who want a convention that is both legitimate and unifying.
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