A High Court in Oyo State has ordered the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to proceed with its National Convention scheduled for Saturday, 15th, and Sunday, 16th November 2025 in Ibadan, the state capital.
Justice A. L. Akintola, in an interim order delivered on Monday, 3rd November, directed the PDP to conduct the convention and elect new national officers according to its approved guidelines, timetable, and schedule of activities.
The order is effective pending the hearing of a Motion on Notice filed before the court.
The court also instructed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to attend, observe, and monitor the convention in Ibadan as scheduled.
The suit was filed by Folahan Malomo Adelabi, a PDP aspirant for Deputy National Organizing Secretary, who argued that the party had met all statutory requirements to hold the convention.
The defendants include the PDP, its National Chairman and National Working Committee, members of the National Convention Organizing Committee, and INEC.
Justice Akintola said the claimant had demonstrated urgency and merit in seeking the court’s intervention, and granted the interim orders to ensure transparency and adherence to party guidelines.
The development follows a Federal High Court in Abuja ruling by Justice James Omotosho, which had restrained the PDP from holding the convention.
The Abuja court held that the party failed to conduct valid congresses in 14 states before issuing the convention notice, violating its own constitution, the 1999 Constitution, and the Electoral Act.
Following the Abuja ruling, PDP National Chairman Ambassador Iliya Damagum convened an emergency NWC meeting and suspended four members loyal to FCT Minister Nyesom Wike for alleged gross indiscipline.
Those suspended included National Secretary Samuel Anyanwu, Legal Adviser Kamaldeen Ajibade (SAN), Deputy Legal Adviser Okechukwu Osuoha, and National Organising Secretary Umar Bature.
Deputy National Secretary Setonji Koshoedo was appointed Acting National Secretary, and Jacob Otorkpa took interim charge of the legal department.
In response, the Wike-aligned members led by Samuel Anyanwu suspended Ambassador Damagum and five other national officers, citing incompetence, financial mismanagement, and disobedience to court orders.
Anyanwu named Mohammed Abdulrahman (National Vice Chairman, North Central) as Acting National Chairman.
Others suspended included National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba, Deputy National Chairman (South) Taofeek Arapaja, National Financial Secretary Daniel Woyenguikoro, National Youth Leader Sulaiman Kadade, and Deputy National Secretary Setonji Koshoedo.
