Legal Showdown: Court Mandates PDP National Convention Continuation

An Oyo State High Court has issued a significant ruling, clearing the path for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to proceed with its national convention. Justice A.L. Akintola, on Monday, ordered the PDP and its National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Damagum, to move forward with the convention slated for November 15 and 16, 2025, in Ibadan.

The judicial decision followed an ex parte application filed by one Folahan Malomo Adelabi. In the suit, Adelabi named the PDP, Ambassador Damagum, Adamawa State governor Ahmadu Fintiri, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as defendants. The core of Adelabi's application sought an interim injunction to restrain these defendants from "truncating, frustrating, or disrupting" the approved guidelines, timetable, and schedule of activities for the upcoming convention.

Furthermore, Adelabi's prayers to the court included compelling the PDP leadership to "adhere to and honour" the established timetable and procedures specifically for the election of new national officers. This adherence was requested to be upheld pending the full hearing and determination of the substantive motion in the case. By granting this application, the court has effectively endorsed the planned convention, ensuring that the PDP can hold its long-anticipated event in Ibadan as scheduled, without further legal impediments from the named parties.