The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ekiti State went ahead with its local government and state congresses on Wednesday, declaring the process peaceful and successful, even as a court order had sought to halt the exercise.

Earlier in the day, Justice E. B. Omotosho of the Ekiti State High Court in Ado Ekiti issued an interim injunction restraining the PDP from conducting the congresses.

The ruling was based on an ex parte motion filed by Afolabi Adedeji in suit number HAD/424M/2025.

The matter, which involves the PDP, its acting National Chairman Umar Damagun, National Organising Secretary Umar Bature, Ekiti State Caretaker Chairman Dare Adeleke, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has been adjourned to May 14, 2025, for hearing of the motion on notice.

Adedeji is asking the court to bar the defendants and their agents from recognising or accepting any list of individuals who did not obtain nomination forms, participate in the election process, or emerge through the proper voting procedure at the PDP’s ward congresses.

He contends that only delegates elected on March 15, 2025, should be acknowledged.

He also requested the court’s permission to serve the originating summons and related documents via substituted means to defendants located outside Ekiti jurisdiction, including the Federal Capital Territory.

Granting the request, Justice Omotosho ruled, “Leave is hereby granted to the claimant/applicant to serve the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th defendants the originating process with its accompanying documents by substituted means, by pasting the same on the wall of the 1st defendant’s office located on Ajilosun Street, Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State.”

He further stated, “In addition, the claimant/applicant is granted leave to serve the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th defendants via their WhatsApp phone numbers — 08047677070, 08035961850, and 08033242822, respectively.”

The court also directed all parties to maintain the status quo pending the determination of the motion on notice.

Despite the ruling, the PDP Caretaker Committee in Ekiti proceeded with the congress, applauding the process and turnout.

In a statement issued in Ado Ekiti, the Ekiti PDP Caretaker Chairman, Dare Adeleke, thanked the party’s National Working Committee, INEC, and security operatives for ensuring a smooth exercise.

“We are thrilled that the congress commenced and concluded smoothly without any hitches. It is on record that we started ahead of schedule at 8 am and by noon, we had concluded,” Adeleke said.

He praised the Electoral Panel chaired by Dr. Eddy Olafeso for their commitment, describing their efforts as “marvellous.”

“Today’s peaceful outing shows how organised and dedicated the committee was in preparing for this congress,” he added.

Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has dismissed his alleged suspension from the Labour Party by a faction led by Julius Abure, describing it as an unserious move aimed at gaining attention.

Reacting swiftly through his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Ferdinand Ekeoma, the governor said Abure’s actions were nothing more than a publicity stunt, stating that the suspension had no basis or consequence.

Ekeoma’s statement, issued Wednesday night, urged Nigerians to ignore what he called a baseless announcement by individuals he labeled as jesters within the party.

“The attention of His Excellency the Governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Otti, OFR, has been drawn to the news of his purported suspension alongside other eminent leaders of the Labour Party from the Party by the former National Chairman of the Party, Julius Abure.

“The statement by Abure and his gang of comedians is not only a joke taken too far, but an affront on democracy by a group of inconsequential irritants who are desperate to use Governor Otti’s name to advance their self-serving economic agenda.”

Ekeoma stressed that the Supreme Court had already ruled that Abure was no longer the party’s national chairman, and that ruling laid the groundwork for the emergence of the Senator Nenadi Usman-led National Caretaker Committee.

“For the records, the highest court in the land, the Supreme Court of Nigeria has rightly and unambiguously stated that Julius Abure is no longer the National Chairman of Labour Party.”

“The judgement which is in agreement with the Constitution of Labour Party, and formed the basis for the setting up of the Senator Nenadi Usman-led National Caretaker Committee stripped Abure of every authority to parade himself as the National Chairman of the Labour Party.”

Ekeoma alleged that Abure’s announcement was a diversionary tactic following a summons by the caretaker committee to answer serious charges.

“Just few hours after being summoned by a Committee Set up by the Senator Nenadi Usman-led National Caretaker Committee to come and respond to allegations of gross misconduct bordering on financial misappropriation, impersonation and anti Party activities levelled against him, Abure decided to be smart by half by rushing to the press to announce the purported suspension of Governor Otti and other eminent members of the party.”

He called on Nigerians to treat the announcement with the ridicule it deserved.

“We enjoin Nigerians to disregard Abure’s laughable statement and continue to see him and his co-conspirators as a group of clowns in desperate search of a crown they do not deserve.”

The statement concluded with a call to law enforcement and electoral authorities to act.

“Finally, we call on the Inspector General of Police to quickly arrest Mr Abure for impersonation, while INEC should ensure full implementation of the Supreme Court judgement as a way of preserving the integrity of the Supreme Court and protecting our democracy.”

Former President Dr. Goodluck Jonathan has cautioned that any move to establish a one-party system in Nigeria would choke the nation’s political space and could ultimately trigger chaos and disorder.

He sounded this warning on Wednesday in Abuja while delivering a speech at the memorial lecture and tribute session held in honour of the late South-South leader and former Federal Commissioner for Information, Chief Edwin Clark.

Jonathan acknowledged that while a one-party system might not inherently be harmful, as demonstrated by Julius Nyerere’s leadership in Tanzania, it must emerge through legitimate processes rather than through political manipulation.

“A one-party state may not be an evil thing as Julius Nyerere of Tanzania used it to unite his country because they have many tribes,” he noted.

“However, it was procedural in Tanzania, and not through manipulation.”

He stressed that if Nigeria must consider transitioning to a one-party system, it must be done methodically and deliberately.

“If a one-party state has become desirable for the country, the process must be thorough and systemic, not by accident or political manipulations,” Jonathan said.

His remarks come in the wake of widespread defections from opposition parties including the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the Labour Party (LP), and the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), sparking concerns about political imbalance.

Reflecting on the legacy of the late Chief Clark, Jonathan described him as a father figure and a man of unmatched intellect and courage.

“There is no need to look for any replacement for the late Ijaw leader because that would not be achievable,” he said.

“He was a unique personality, with a very sharp memory that no one can beat.”

Jonathan added, “Clark was courageous and ready to take on anybody at any time.”

The Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Mr. Blessing Agbebaku, has explained his decision to leave the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the All Progressives Congress (APC), citing the need to preserve his position and continue developmental efforts in his constituency.

Agbebaku, along with two fellow lawmakers; Hon. Sunday Fada Eigbiremonlen and Hon. Idaiye Yekini Oisayemoje, formally defected to the APC on Tuesday.

While addressing members of the House on Wednesday, Agbebaku made his reasons clear: “I defected to the APC to retain the benefit of the speaker seat for the development of my constituency.”

He emphasized that his switch was motivated by service, not party loyalty.

“For me, it is not about the party but about the development of our area. As a speaker, if I throw away this position because of the party, the position that would enhance development in my area, it means that I am not ready to serve my people,” he said.

Addressing the assembly formally, he stated: “Distinguished members, I want to formally let this House know that yesterday, the Speaker of this House, Rt. Hon. Blessing Agbebaku, defected to the APC.”

According to him, the move was endorsed by his constituents.

“There is ongoing developmental projects in Owan West constituency initiated by Governor Monday Okpebholo,” he noted.

Agbebaku stressed that his defection was not rooted in personal ambition, but in commitment to his people.

“So, my defection was not driven by personal gains but commitment to the welfare of those who elected him. Politics is all about interest, but not my interest, the interest of my people that gave me the mandate to be here today,” he added.