Court Clears PDP to Hold National Convention Despite Abuja Order

A High Court sitting in Oyo State has given the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, the green light to proceed with the party’s much-anticipated national convention scheduled for November 15 in Ibadan.

Justice A. L. Akintola granted the order on Tuesday following an ex parte motion filed by Folahan Malomo Adelabi, an aspirant for the position of Deputy National Organizing Secretary of the party.

In suit No. I/1336/2025, the court restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the PDP, and other respondents from truncating or disrupting the convention.

Justice Akintola also directed INEC to deploy officials and observers to monitor the event to ensure full compliance with Nigeria’s electoral laws — a move aimed at guaranteeing transparency and legitimacy.

Additionally, the court ordered the Chairman of the PDP National Convention Organizing Committee, Governor Umaru Fintiri of Adamawa State, to continue with all preparations for the exercise.

This ruling comes as a major relief for the Damagum-led faction of the PDP, following an earlier order from a Federal High Court in Abuja that sought to halt the convention amid internal party disputes.

The Oyo court’s verdict effectively reinstates momentum within the party ahead of what is expected to be a decisive convention for Nigeria’s main opposition bloc.