Court Gives Go-Ahead for PDP National Convention

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been officially cleared by a High Court in Ibadan, Oyo State, to proceed with its much-anticipated national convention scheduled for November 15 and 16, 2025.

The ruling, delivered by Justice A. L. Akintola, grants the party an interim order to hold its convention in Ibadan as planned.

In addition, the court directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to attend, monitor and observe the proceedings of the convention, pending the full hearing of a motion on notice.

The order followed an ex-parte application filed by Folahan Malomo Adelabi against the PDP, its acting National Chairman Umar Damagum; Governor Umaru Ahmadu Fintiri (as representative of the National Convention Organising Committee); and INEC. Adelabi sought judicial restraint against any action that would “truncate, frustrate, or disrupt” the timetable, guidelines and schedule of activities leading to the convention.

Justice Akintola ruled that the applicant “successfully demonstrated the need for urgent judicial intervention”, approving the interim orders.

The hearing of the substantive motion on notice was adjourned to November 10, 2025.
The Nation Newspaper

The Oyo High Court’s decision comes just days after a contrary ruling by Federal High Court in Abuja, where Justice James Omotosho halted the PDP’s planned convention until the party complies with statutory requirements under its constitution and the Electoral Act.

In response, the PDP, through its National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba, rejected the Abuja ruling, insisting it does not invalidate the party’s processes for the upcoming convention. The party said it had directed its legal team to appeal the decision.

Meanwhile in Abuja, heavy security was deployed at the party’s national headquarters as the former National Vice Chairman (North-Central), Abdulrahman Mohammed, resumed his role as acting national chairman.

The move followed the suspension of Damagum and the National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, by one faction of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC).

In turn, the opposing faction led by National Secretary Samuel Anyanwu announced the suspension of Damagum and other senior officers, escalating the internal crisis within the PDP.
Sahara Reporters

With the Oyo court’s order, the PDP has legal clearance to go ahead with its convention in Ibadan, despite internal divisions and overlapping court directives.

The presence of INEC as a monitor provides a layer of oversight that could lend legitimacy to the process, especially given the leadership wrangling.

However, the conflicting Abuja ruling and ongoing suspension battles within the party raise questions about unity, the validity of elected officers post-convention, and the party’s readiness for the 2027 general elections.