An Ekiti State High Court sitting in Ado-Ekiti has issued an interim order halting the conduct of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Local Government and State Congresses in the state.
Justice E.B. Omotoso granted the order while ruling on an ex parte motion marked HAD/424M/2025, filed by Mr Afolabi Adedeji.
The suit lists the PDP, its Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagun, the National Organising Secretary, Umar Bature, the Ekiti State Caretaker Chairman, Dare Adeleke, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as defendants.
The court directed all parties to maintain the status quo pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.
In an unusual development, the judge granted permission for the court order and originating processes to be served on the PDP officials through WhatsApp.
“Leave is hereby granted to the claimant/applicant to serve the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th defendants the Originating Process and its accompanying documents by substituted means, including pasting them on the wall of the 1st defendant’s office at Ajilosun Street, Ado-Ekiti,” the court ruled.
“In addition, the claimant/applicant is granted leave to serve the 2nd, 3rd and 4th defendants via their WhatsApp phone numbers—08047677070, 08035961850, and 08033242822 respectively.”
Also Read:Â Lawmaker Blames PDP Defections on Internal Crises
The court adjourned the matter to Wednesday, 14 May 2025, for hearing of the motion on notice.
In the suit, Adedeji sought an interim injunction restraining the defendants and their agents from accepting any list of delegates who did not obtain nomination forms or participate in the ward congresses held on 15 March 2025.
He also requested the court to treat the originating summons as concurrent, and sought leave to serve the summons and all accompanying processes on the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 5th defendants outside the court’s jurisdiction, specifically in the Federal Capital Territory.
