Convention: PDP adamant

• Oyo court gives party go-ahead, Abuja court says no
• Party delegates in Ibadan for event
• Police: We’ll ensure safe, hitch-free, peaceful convention

By Godwin Tsa, Ndubuisi Orji and Taiwo Oluwadare

The PDP faction loyal to Ambassador Damagun remained adamant yesterday over its convention planned for Saturday and Sunday. The party insisted it would go ahead with the convention, citing an Oyo State High Court that cleared the way for the convention.

There was uncertainty over the planned convention yesterday as another Federal High Court, in Abuja, directed the opposition party not to go ahead with the exercise today. This was as the stakeholders remained divided on whether or not the opposition party’s national convention, scheduled to begin today, in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital should hold as scheduled.

Saturday Sun gathered that while some members were pushing for the convention, where a new National Working Committee (NWC) is expected to emerge should hold, others were pushing for the appointment of a caretaker committee to manage the affairs of the party in the interim.

Also, a report purportedly by the PDP Board of Trustees (BoT) Reconciliation Committee, which circulated yesterday, indicated that the panel had recommended that the party halted the national convention and appointed a caretaker committee to manage the party for the time being. The PDP crisis escalated recently after a Federal High Court, in Abuja, directed the opposition party to halt plans for the convention, while an Oyo State High Court asked the party to go ahead with the national convention. The development led to the split of the National Working Committee into factions, as well as suspensions and counter suspensions.

Currently, the National Chairman, Umar Damagum, leads a group of NWC men, while the factional acting National Chairman, Abdulraham Mohammed, leads another group of NWC. While the Damagum group, which is pushing for a national convention, enjoys the support of the PDP governors, the Mohammed camp, which is opposed to the convention, is backed by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.

In the last two days, there have been intrigues and horse-trading as both groups intensified efforts to advance their positions in the tussle for the control of party machinery. The PDP governors, on Thursday night, held an expanded meeting, as part of efforts to build consensus on the Ibadan convention. The meeting, which was held at the Bauchi Governor’s Lodge, Asokoro, Abuja, had in attendance members of the NWC loyal to the national chairman, Damagum.

Meanwhile, the three aggrieved PDP members: Austin Nwachukwu, Abraham Amah and George Turnah, who are plaintiffs in the suit, based on which the a Federal High Court, in Abuja, directed the opposition party to halt plans for the convention for not complying with extant rules, said their interests was to ensure that things were done properly in the party.

The trio, who are aligned with the Mohammed faction, at a press briefing, warned that any plan by the Damagum camp to hold a national convention today in Ibadan would be a nullity.

Abuja Court stops convention

Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja yesterday stopped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from proceeding with its 2025 National convention scheduled for Ibadan, in Oyo State today.  The convention is billed to hold between November 15 and 16 for the purpose of electing national officers for the party.

However, Justice Lifu in his final judgment yesterday in a suit filed by former Jigawa State governor, Sule Lamido, stopped the PDP from proceeding with the convention until it complied with its constitution and guidelines on the convention.

He ordered that the Ibadan convention must be put on hold until Sule Lamido was allowed to purchase nomination forms for the office of the National Chairmanship.  The judge prohibited the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC from supervising, monitoring or aiding the Ibadan convention until Lamido was allowed to participate in the convention.

The judge held that PDP was under strict obligation to adhere to its own rules and regulations by giving opportunities to eligible members to realise their aspirations.  He said that it was wrong of the PDP to have denied Lamido the opportunity to purchase nomination form for the office of the national chairman of the party.

Justice Lifu said that PDP was clearly in utter breach of its own constitution and guidelines by denying some members the opportunity to access the nomination form for elective offices at the convention.

On October 31, indications first emerged that all was not well with the convention when Justice James Omotosho restrained INEC from recognising the outcome of the forthcoming 2025 National Convention of the party.

Justice Lifu issued the second order while delivering ruling in an application brought by a former governor of Jigawa state, Sule Lamido.

The judge predicated the restriction order against PDP on the grounds that the party refused, neglected and failed to comply with relevant conditions and laws for the conduct of such conventions.

The judge held that evidence from Lamido showed that the timetable for the convention was not published for the attention of its members as required by law.

Justice Lifu also held that the balance of convenience tilted towards Lamido because he would suffer more if allowed to be unlawfully excluded from the planned convention.

To make remedy, the judge said that the former governor had undertaken to pay damages to PDP in the event that his suit was found to be frivolous.

According to the judge, due process of law must be strictly followed by those in charge, adding that to do otherwise, will endanger democracy itself.

He also said that in line with section 6 of the 1999 Constitution, a court of law must not abdicate its role of dispensing justice without fear or favour.

Oyo court gives nod

A High Court sitting in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, on Friday sustained its order allowing the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to hold its national convention as scheduled in Ibadan on Saturday, November 15, 2025, without any interference or disruption.

The court, led by Justice Ladiran Akintola, extended its existing order on Friday, following an objection raised by the counsel to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), O. Adeyemi, challenging the court’s jurisdiction to entertain the matter.

The defendants in the suit are the PDP (1st defendant); its National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Damagun (2nd defendant); and the Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, who chairs the PDP Convention Organising Committee (3rd defendant). INEC is the 4th defendant.

Adeyemi argued that INEC is an agency of the Federal Government and, as such, any matter involving it could only be entertained by the Federal High Court.  He cited a previous Federal High Court order restraining the party from holding the convention, claiming it was an exclusive matter.

However, the lead counsel to the Claimant/Applicant, Mr. Musibau Adetumbi (SAN), countered Adeyemi’s argument, describing it as an infringement on the fundamental rights of the claimant/applicant.

Adetumbi cited Section 251 of the 1999 Constitution, arguing that INEC does not fall within the category of agencies whose cases are placed exclusively before the Federal High Court. After listening to both sides, Justice Akintola adjourned the ruling to December 8, 2025, reaffirming that the interim order restraining the defendants from disrupting or interfering with preparations for the PDP national convention remains in force.

Speaking after the proceedings, counsel to the 5th, 6th, and 7th defendants, Mr. Emmanuel Ukala, (SAN), described the adjournment as an unnecessary delay.

Police strengthen security in Ibadan

Oyo State Police Command has announced comprehensive security measures ahead of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Convention scheduled for Saturday, November 15, and Sunday, November 16, 2025, at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Adamasingba, Ibadan.

In a statement issued on Friday, the Police Public Relations Officer, Adewale Osifeso, said the command was working closely with other security agencies to ensure a safe, hitch-free, and peaceful convention expected to draw top political leaders, delegates, observers, media professionals, and guests from across Nigeria.

According to the command, robust security architecture has been developed to manage the anticipated influx of visitors into the state. The plan includes intensified patrols, increased surveillance, and intelligence-led stop-and-search operations across major locations in Oyo State.

Security presence will be significantly increased at all entry and exit points, especially around the convention venue. Public facilities such as parks, train stations, and the Samuel Ladoke Akintola International Airport will also experience heightened monitoring to prevent security breaches.

The police advised residents and motorists to consider alternative routes around Adamasingba during the two-day event to avoid possible traffic disruptions. The command also cautioned against unauthorised gatherings, protests, or any act capable of causing public unrest before, during, or after the convention.

Osifeso urged members of the public to remain law-abiding and cooperate with security personnel deployed across the state. He further encouraged residents to report suspicious movements or activities to the nearest police formation or designated emergency lines.

It was gathered that party delegates from many states were already in Ibadan for the convention. Last night, finishing touches were being put in place for a hitch-free convention at the venue, Lekan Salami Stadium.