Court Orders PDP to Proceed with National Convention in Ibadan

Court Orders PDP to Proceed with National Convention in Ibadan
The ruling nullified an earlier Abuja court order.
The convention will elect new national party officers.

A High Court sitting in Oyo State has given the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, the go-ahead to conduct the party’s national convention slated for November 15–16, 2025, in Ibadan, Oyo State.

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EKO HOT BLOG reports that Justice A. L. Akintola issued the ruling on Monday after hearing an ex parte motion filed by Folahan Malomo Adelabi, effectively setting aside a restraining order earlier granted by a Federal High Court in Abuja.

The latest judgment overturns the Abuja court’s ruling of October 31, which had temporarily stopped the PDP from holding its convention. The Ibadan convention is expected to elect new national officers to steer the affairs of the main opposition party ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The Abuja order followed a suit filed by three members of the party: Austin Nwachukwu, chairman of Imo PDP; Amah Nnanna, chairman of Abia PDP; and Turnah George, Secretary of the South-South PDP. They had argued that preparations for the convention violated provisions of the PDP constitution, the 1999 Constitution, and the Electoral Act.

In their application, the plaintiffs urged the Federal High Court to restrain both the PDP leadership and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from conducting or supervising the exercise, claiming that due process had not been followed.

However, Justice Akintola’s decision now clears the path for the convention to proceed as scheduled, pending any further legal challenge. The court’s ruling is seen as a relief to the party’s leadership, which has been under pressure to ensure a smooth transition and restore internal stability within the PDP.