The Oyo State High Court sitting in Ibadan has given the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) the go-ahead to conduct its National Convention scheduled for November 15 and 16, 2025.
In a ruling delivered by Justice A. L Akintola, the court granted an interim order permitting the opposition party to proceed with the convention as planned in Ibadan, Oyo State.
The judge also directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to attend, monitor, and observe the exercise pending the hearing and determination of a substantive motion on notice.
The order followed an ex-parte application filed by Folahan Adelabi against the PDP, its Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum; Governor Umaru Fintiri, who chairs the National Convention Organising Committee; and INEC.
Adelabi had sought an injunction restraining the defendants from frustrating or altering the timetable, guidelines, and schedule of activities leading to the convention.
After hearing the motion on Monday, Justice Akintola ruled that the claimant demonstrated a need 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.
The court consequently granted the interim reliefs sought, restraining any interference with the PDP’s convention plans and compelling the party to proceed as scheduled.
Justice Akintola adjourned the hearing of the substantive motion for an interlocutory injunction to November 10, 2025.
The court’s order, dated November 3, 2025, was signed by the Principal Registrar, S. O Hammed.
The Ibadan ruling comes just days after the Federal High Court in Abuja halted the PDP’s planned convention.
On Friday, Justice James Omotosho ordered that the exercise be suspended until the party complies with constitutional and statutory provisions governing its internal processes.
The Abuja court also restrained INEC from recognising the outcome of any PDP convention held in breach of due process or its guidelines.
Reacting swiftly, the PDP rejected the Abuja judgment. Its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, said the ruling does not affect the party’s preparations, describing it as "an assault on democratic processes," adding that the party’s legal team would appeal the decision.
Meanwhile, tensions heightened at the PDP national secretariat in Abuja on Monday, where heavy security was deployed as former North Central Vice Chairman, Abdulrahman Mohammed, resumed as acting national chairman.
Mohammed, backed by the Samuel Anyanwu-led faction of the National Working Committee (NWC), addressed supporters at the headquarters, confirming his assumption of office following the suspension of Umar Damagum and Debo Ologunagba.
The party’s internal crisis deepened over the weekend after Damagum’s camp suspended National Secretary Samuel Anyanwu and several principal officers.
Anyanwu’s faction retaliated by suspending Damagum, Ologunagba, and four other NWC members.
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