An Oyo State High Court sitting in Ibadan has ordered the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to go ahead with its scheduled national convention slated for November 15 and 16, 2025, in Ibadan, Oyo State.
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Justice Ladiran Akintola gave the order on Monday while ruling on an ex parte motion filed by Folahan Malomo Adelabi under suit number I/1336/2025. The defendants in the case included the PDP, its Acting National Chairman Ambassador Umar Iliya Damagum (for himself and members of the National Working Committee and National Executive Committee), Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri of Adamawa State (for himself and members of the National Convention Organising Committee), and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
In his ruling, Justice Akintola granted all interim orders sought by the claimant, restraining the defendants or their agents from truncating or frustrating the conduct of the party’s convention. The court also directed the PDP leadership to adhere strictly to the guidelines, timetable, and schedule of activities previously released for the event. The judge further ordered the party and its relevant committees to hold and conduct the elective national convention as planned, pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice, while instructing INEC to attend, monitor, and observe the process in line with the Electoral Act.
Justice Akintola noted that the claimant had demonstrated a case warranting urgent judicial intervention and commended Adelabi for filing a motion on notice alongside the ex parte application. The matter has been adjourned to November 10, 2025, for the hearing of the motion on notice. The certified true copy of the enrolment of the order was signed by the Principal Registrar of the Oyo State High Court, Mrs. S. O. Hammed, and issued on November 3 under the court seal.
The ruling comes amid a parallel Federal High Court suit in Abuja filed by PDP members believed to be aligned with Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike. That court, on October 31, issued an injunction halting the convention, citing alleged violations of the party’s constitution, the Electoral Act, and INEC guidelines. The plaintiffs demanded resolutions to disputed ward and local government congresses in Ebonyi, Anambra, and Cross River states and raised concerns about rotation of the national chairmanship to the North Central zone.
The Oyo court’s intervention favours the Damagum-led National Working Committee (NWC), which has vowed to push forward with the convention despite the Abuja injunction. PDP spokesperson Debo Ologunagba described the Abuja ruling as an “assault on democracy” and announced plans to appeal, insisting that the party’s internal processes were lawful.
The PDP convention has been controversial since Ibadan was announced as the host city in July 2025. Initially slated for August, the event was postponed to November amid escalating tensions between Damagum’s faction and supporters of Wike. Recent escalations saw the Damagum faction suspend National Secretary Samuel Anyanwu and three other NWC members on October 31, accusing them of anti-party activities. In retaliation, Anyanwu’s group suspended Damagum and other top officials, deepening the schism. High-profile defections, including Bayelsa Governor Douye Diri and Enugu Governor Peter Mbah, have further weakened party cohesion.
PDP chieftain Umar Sani affirmed on social media that the November 15-16 convention remains “unstoppable,” dismissing opponents as “idiots” wishing for the party’s demise. Legal experts, however, warn that conflicting court orders could trigger parallel conventions or further litigation.
As Nigeria’s opposition gears up for the 2027 elections, the PDP’s ability to unify will be tested. The convention is expected to ratify candidates for key positions, including the national chairmanship, amid demands for zoning to the North Central. Failure to hold a credible event could advantage the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
INEC has yet to comment on the Oyo ruling but has previously emphasized compliance with electoral laws for party activities. PDP stakeholders, including the Board of Trustees, have urged calm and unity, dismissing claims of forgery regarding convention notices as “baseless.”
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