Court Gives PDP Green Light To Hold National Convention

The Oyo State High Court in Ibadan has cleared the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to proceed with its planned national convention scheduled for November 15 and 16, 2025, despite ongoing internal disputes and conflicting court rulings. The decision brings temporary relief to the opposition party amid mounting leadership crises and legal battles over the convention’s legitimacy.

Justice A. L. Akintola, who presided over the matter, granted an interim order permitting the PDP to conduct its elective convention as planned in Ibadan. The court also directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to attend and monitor the exercise pending the hearing of a substantive motion.

Court Upholds PDP’s Right To Proceed With Convention

The ruling followed an ex parte application filed by Folahan Adelabi against the PDP, its Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum; Governor Umaru Fintiri, representing the National Convention Organising Committee; and INEC. Adelabi had urged the court to prevent any interference or disruption with the party’s timetable and schedule of activities leading up to the convention.

Justice Akintola ruled that the claimant had shown sufficient grounds for urgent judicial intervention. “The court finds merit in the claimant’s motion ex parte. The same succeeds and is hereby ordered as prayed,” the judge said. He consequently restrained any attempt to halt the convention and directed that the event proceed as planned.

The case was adjourned to November 10 for the hearing of the substantive motion on notice, while the court order, dated November 3, was issued under the seal of the Oyo State High Court and signed by the Principal Registrar, S. O. Hammed.

Conflicting Rulings and PDP’s Leadership Crisis

Friday’s decision by Justice Akintola contrasts sharply with an earlier ruling from the Federal High Court in Abuja, where Justice James Omotosho halted the PDP’s planned 2025 national convention. In that judgment, the court restrained INEC from recognising any convention outcome until the party complies with its constitution, statutory requirements, and the Electoral Act.

In response, PDP National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba rejected the Abuja court’s ruling, calling it “an assault on Nigeria’s democratic process.” He maintained that the judgement does not affect the party’s ability to continue preparations for the upcoming convention and confirmed that the legal team had filed an appeal.

Amid these legal wranglings, the party’s leadership crisis intensified. On Monday, heavy security was stationed at the PDP headquarters in Abuja as Abdulrahman Mohammed, the party’s former North Central Vice Chairman, resumed as acting national chairman. Mohammed’s return followed a declaration by the Samuel Anyanwu-led faction of the National Working Committee (NWC), which suspended Damagum and Ologunagba.

Also read: PDP NEC Meeting Concludes, Sets November Convention Date

The Damagum-led faction, in turn, announced the suspension of Anyanwu, National Organising Secretary Umar Bature, and other key officers over the weekend. The duelling suspensions have deepened internal rifts, leaving the party divided ahead of its national convention.

As the PDP moves forward under the latest court order, political analysts warn that the conflicting judicial rulings and internal power tussles could cast uncertainty over the credibility of the forthcoming convention and the party’s overall stability.