Four leaders from the People's Democratic Party have reached Ibadan, Oyo State, as the party continues with its national convention desp...
Four leaders from the People's Democratic Party have reached Ibadan, Oyo State, as the party continues with its national convention despite a Federal High Court ruling that halted the event.
The party's South-West chairman, Kamorudeen Ajisafe, on Friday confirmed the situation toSaturday PUNCH.
He verified the attendance of the governors from Bauchi (Bala Mohammed), Zamfara (Dauda Lawal), Adamawa (Ahmadu Fintiri), and Oyo (Seyi Makinde) before the convention.
Conflicting court rulings
The PDP has faced ongoing challenges, as groups supporting the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesome Wike, and the acting Chairman Umar Damagum are engaged in a fierce dispute regarding the convention set for today and Sunday, November 16.
As the convention approached, a former governor of Jigawa, Sule Lamido, filed a petition with the Federal High Court in Abuja, seeking redress following his inability to obtain the PDP national chairmanship nomination form.
On Friday, Judge Peter Lifu issued a ruling directing the party to halt the convention.
He also prevented the Independent National Electoral Commission from overseeing, observing, or acknowledging any convention held by the PDP unless the plaintiff was included as a participant.
Justice Lifu stated that the evidence presented in court showed that Lamido was prevented from acquiring a nomination form to run for the position of National Chairman of the party.
The court stated that the PDP had an obligation to provide chances for its members to serve by implementing specific actions that allowed them to advance their political goals.
As a result, Justice Lifu ordered that the scheduled convention be postponed so Lamido could acquire the nomination form, gather supporters, and carry out his campaign.
The judge stated, 'An order is issued requiring the PDP to provide nomination forms to the plaintiff prior to any convention being held.'
Remember that on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, Judge Lifu issued a comparable decision that prevented the PDP from conducting the convention, which aimed to select new national leaders for the party.
Lamido, with the advice of Jephthah Njikonye, SAN, submitted an ex parte application, requesting a temporary injunction to halt the convention until the main case is heard and decided.
The former governor of Jigawa State, during his legal proceedings, claimed that if the PDP does not impose limits, the party would be breaching its own constitution and, in effect, preventing him from running for the role of national chairman.
Justice Lifu, during the delivery of the judgment on the motion, stated that the plaintiff's request was valid and therefore prohibited the PDP from holding the event until the main issue before the court is resolved.
He contended that there was no justification for deviating from a previous decision made by Justice James Omotosho of the same court on October 31, 2025, which also paused the scheduled convention and prevented INEC from getting involved.
Nevertheless, in a contradictory ruling, the Oyo State High Court based in Ibadan allowed the PDP to continue with its convention on November 3.
Justice Ladiran Akintola gave approval to the convention while deciding on an ex parte application submitted by Mr. Folahan Adelabi, a member of the Oyo PDP, and ordered INEC to participate in and oversee the event for the selection of new national leaders.
In response to Friday's decision, Ajisafe claimed not to be aware of Lifu's latest directive.
He stated, "We are not informed of any new court decision. It is nearly 6 o'clock, and none of the party's leaders is aware of the ruling you mentioned."
The convention will take place. No force can prevent it since we are following the Ibadan High Court's directive to continue with the event.
Currently, I am speaking to you, and we already have four governors from Bauchi, Zamfara, Adamawa, and Oyo states on-site. We are 98 per cent prepared for the convention, and nothing will hinder us.
Delegates arrive venue
Reports from our reporters, who were present at the convention venue on Friday night, verified that all arrangements for the event had been finalized.
Officials from various states were observed in a cheerful state, moving to the beat of traditional drums.
Approximately 8pm, the Chairman of Adamawa PDP, Hamza Madagali, arrived at the convention site along with his group, possibly to evaluate the readiness for the electoral convention.
Our reporters also confirmed that delegates from Lagos, FCT, Bauchi, Akwa Ibom, Ebonyi, and Delta have reached the location, while representatives from other states were continuing to arrive as of this report's time.
A military transport vehicle with serious-faced security personnel was also observed at the entrance of the conference location.
INEC signals boycott
Saturday PUNCHeffectively obtained the information that INEC would not be overseeing the gathering.
A high-ranking representative from the commission responsible for overseeing party conventions stated, "INEC will not oversee the PDP convention."
Another official from INEC, who wished to remain unnamed, emphasized the commission's dedication to the law.
The source stated, 'INEC adheres to the law. We will comply with the FCT High Court.'
Saturday PUNCHwas informed that the commission had previously drafted a press release to explain its stance on whether it would oversee the convention, but the statement was subsequently removed.
Efforts to contact Victoria Eta-Messi, the Director of Voter Education and Publicity, were not successful, as she did not answer her phone or respond to messages.
Attempts to communicate with other directors within the committee also resulted in no reply.
Lamido accuses officials of causing the crisis
Commenting on the convention, the Lamido called on the party to comply with the most recent court decision.
Lamido, who spoke during his appearance onChannels TV Politics Todayon Friday, accused party governors of being responsible for the party's crisis.
He stated, "There is a ruling preventing the convention and requesting the party to invite me, provide me with my form to complete, and allow me to proceed through the standard campaign process and reach the election."
We had 14 governors, but now only three are left. Among those three, two are also leaving. The issue arose from the governors as they have become convinced that they are in control. There is no true governor; the only one is Seyi Makinde, whom I greatly respect because he is a very kind young man.
When questioned about his attendance at the convention, Lamido responded, "I am now a product of the court order and thus someone who has been rescued by the court. I cannot attend the convention without rejecting what I have received from the court. If I go to the convention, it would imply that everything I gained has been erased. Therefore, I cannot go."
He stated, "They seek someone they can dominate. This party has generated three presidents, how many governors, senators, the Senate President, and ambassadors. The governors of today hold imperial power."
Wike, Bode George clash
A leader from the party, Bode George, along with Wike, who also appeared on the television show, exchanged arguments regarding the court's decision to halt the convention.
George, one of the original members of the PDP and a former member of the Board of Trustees, rejected allegations of a party crisis.
He stated that the party stayed "strong and united."
George showed astonishment at Lamido's choice to take the party to court.
"The way things are handled, I'm absolutely shocked he took the party to court. At the last NEC meeting, the date for collecting forms was set. What they needed to do and when they were supposed to return the forms were all clearly outlined and approved by the NEC," he said.
He claimed that Lamido failed to adhere to the official timeline for acquiring and submitting nomination forms.
Anyone wishing to collect the forms applied, paid the regular fees, and received the form. However, he personally arrived on the very day when the deadline for returning the forms ended. Naturally, due to his position, if he had contacted them earlier, they would have accommodated him. But now going to court because they didn't provide the form. That day was the final date for submitting the forms. Did he act appropriately?
He confirmed again that the party's convention would go ahead, mentioning that the court headed by Justice Ladiran Akintola had permitted activities to continue until Monday, November 18, with a final decision anticipated on December 8.
Wike supported the court's decision to halt the convention.
The official urged the party to abide by the decision and put the convention on hold.
"I am someone who respects the law. I have listened to Sule Lamido and our father, Chief Olabode George, but it's regrettable that at the level of Chief Olabode George, you aren't aware of the distinction between a substantive judgment and an ex parte order," Wike stated.
He stated that the Federal High Court had already issued a significant ruling on October 31, 2025.
"Once more, Sule Lamido approached the court, contesting the party's ability to proceed with the convention, as it had denied him his rights," Wike mentioned.
The official claimed that a later court decision from Ibadan was an order issued without both parties present, rather than a formal ruling.
"The court in Ibadan issued an ex parte order and later extended it. Are you now claiming that an ex parte order can supersede a formal judgment from the court?" he questioned.
NWC, government officials encouraged to adopt the reconciliation report
In the meantime, George Turna, the South-South Zonal Secretary of the party, along with the Forum of PDP State Chairmen, have urged the party's national leaders and PDP governors to embrace the suggestions made by the reconciliation committee established by the Board of Trustees in a sincere manner.
They also urged the NWC and PDP governors to halt the convention.
At a press conference on Friday, Turna stated that the procedures preceding the Ibadan convention were not in line with the party's constitution and rules, the Electoral Act of 2022, and the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
He stated, "The most important issue on our minds was the behavior of state congresses. We felt that, through our processes, state congresses should have been completed in nearly every state—or at least a significant number—to constitute the majority of delegates at the national convention."
We anticipated receiving guidelines; none were provided. We hoped for a schedule; we couldn't locate any. We requested details about processes, including the acquisition of forms; no information was made available.
From these challenges, we went to court to find solutions. It is now widely known that we received a favorable ruling, handed down by Judge Omotosho of the Federal High Court on October 31, 2025.
It is crucial to clarify, as misleading stories have circulated, that we served as intermediaries to prevent the PDP convention, or that we are hindering the party's development. In the lead-up to this and after the ruling, the party’s Board of Trustees established a fact-finding committee. The committee examined the crisis and issued a report. As members of the party, we had access to the report.
He pointed out that the report from the BoT Reconciliation Committee supported the stance of party stakeholders, indicating that the PDP's operations had breached specific principles and procedures.
Additionally, the Imo State Chairman of the party, Austin Nwachukwu, stated, "Justice Lifu has issued another ruling that matches the concerns we presented in our own legal case."
A specific lawsuit was initiated by the former Governor of Jigawa State, Sule Lamido, who was prevented from acquiring forms to run in the scheduled convention. He was naturally frustrated, given his status as a founding member and senior figure within the party.
The court ruled that it was incorrect and unfair to prevent Sule Lamido from taking part in a convention of this scale, and directed that he should be permitted to obtain forms and engage in any upcoming convention. The court also warned the PDP to cease acts of impunity.
This once more confirms our stance. Although some people hurried to Ibadan to get an ex parte order from a High Court, we adhered to proper procedures and the rule of law — and the court has once again validated our actions.
On his side, Amah Abraham, the Abia State Chairman of the PDP, praised the BoT Reconciliation Committee for placing the party's interests first in its suggestions.
Govs, NWC press ahead
Although there were suggestions, PDP stakeholders, including the four governors, are said to have gathered in Ibadan for the convention.
The party is currently functioning with two competing groups, prompting worries that internal disputes could intensify before the 2027 elections.
Governors Mohammed, Makinde, and Muftwang blamed Wike for causing instability within the party.
In the meantime, the National Working Committee justified disciplinary measures against certain national officials, alleging they received directives from Wike.
The officials who were suspended responded by accusing the NWC and governors of having secret motives and acting in violation of the constitution.
Former Senate President Bukola Saraki cautioned that continuing under the present circumstances might lead to irreversible harm, suggesting the establishment of a comprehensive interim committee.
He also suggested that newly elected governors in Osun, Plateau, and Zamfara might switch sides if the situation continued.
Saraki also suggested that upcoming changes to the PDP constitution should remove the Governors’ Forum from its position as a party body to avoid similar disputes in the future.
Factions within the party jeopardize its unity
However, key supporters of the PDP, such as Adamawa State Governor Ahmadu Fintiri, gathered in Ibadan on Friday for the party's national convention.
The PDP, which was Nigeria's leading political party for 16 consecutive years, is now facing what its Board of Trustees Chairman, Senator Adolphus Wabara, has termed a "self-created crisis."
Two opposing groups now functioning from different secretariats have left the party facing internal conflict, which could undermine its unity before the 2027 general election.
To bring stability back, the BoT on November 5, established a reconciliation committee led by Ambassador Hassan Adamu.
A group of six individuals released their findings a few days later, suggesting that the gathering be delayed until every affected party had reached an agreement.
Nevertheless, the recommendation—backed by former Senate President Bukola Saraki—was disregarded by the National Working Committee headed by Umar Damagum.
A copy of the report, viewed by Saturday PUNCH,it was disclosed that the committee discovered significant lack of trust among party members.
It also recorded Wike's concerns regarding the committee's impartiality, highlighting that its launch in the presence of the NWC led by Damagum had undermined its reliability.
The report states, 'Wike criticized the BoT for openly supporting the acting national chairman's faction and alleged that the zoning committee excluded important stakeholders.'
The report also mentions that "Wike accused the PDP Governors’ Forum, headed by Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed and Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, of taking control of party procedures. He further claimed that Taraba State Governor Agbu Kefas was secretly working with the ruling All Progressives Congress."
"Wike expressed worries over the cancellation of assemblies in states like Anambra and Ebonyi, and emphasized that the Ibadan convention could only proceed if court orders from Abuja were followed. He promised to keep contesting what he called the governors' failure to uphold their commitments," the report stated.
During its meeting with the committee, Governor Bala Mohammed—alongside Governors Makinde and Caleb Muftwang from Plateau—charged Wike with undermining the party and breaching its constitution.
He claimed that Wike aimed to dominate the PDP and undermine its base, labeling the former Rivers state governor as "troublemaker" and unwilling to stop conflicts.
The NWC, in its submission, supported the suspension of National Secretary Senator Samuel Anyanwu, National Legal Adviser Kamaldeen Ajibade, and National Organising Secretary Umar Bature.
The Acting Chairman Damagum stated that the three individuals were punished for alleged misconduct and anti-party behavior, "accusing them of receiving orders from Wike."
Bature was criticized for operating "a one-person operation," whereas Ajibade was alleged to have undermined the party's legal standing.
However, the suspended officials resisted, claiming the NWC violated legitimate court rulings and suggesting that Governors Diri, Bala, and Makinde had secret motives.
They argued that the removal of South-East Vice Chairman Ali Odefa was legitimate and claimed that any documents he signed afterward were unlawful.
They also criticized Damagum for being ineffective, labeling Makinde as a key factor in the party's turmoil.
During his meeting with the committee, Saraki stated that he intentionally kept a distance from President Bola Tinubu since the latter took office, emphasizing the importance of party stability over personal political ties.
He cautioned that the ongoing crisis involving the national secretary's office and the governors' "ego-driven choices" had brought the party to a critical point. He stated, "The governors initially agreed to transfer the Rivers PDP structure to Wike but later backed out, leading to renewed conflicts."
Saraki cautioned that continuing with the convention in the present circumstances could lead to "irreversible harm," and suggested the creation of a diverse temporary committee.
He also warned that newly elected PDP governors in Osun, Plateau, and Zamfara might switch sides before their upcoming re-election contests if the situation continues.
He also recommended that the upcoming revision of the PDP constitution should remove the Governors’ Forum's designation as a party body.
The report from the reconciliation committee highlighted significant distrust between the governors and the NWC, stating that aspirations for 2027 had undermined the party's internal unity. It cautioned that ongoing legal disputes, changing allegiances, and factional power groups had greatly weakened the PDP's functioning structure.
The committee suggested that the Ibadan convention should take place "only if the legal environment was favorable and if INEC was prepared to oversee the process. It warned that numerous conflicting court rulings could probably prevent INEC from proceeding."
It is therefore recommended that the party quickly return to the previous state, revoke all suspensions, and form a comprehensive interim committee to handle its operations.
It also emphasized the need for strict compliance with party leadership, constitutional rules, and impartiality from the BoT, cautioning against any effort to establish the Governors’ Forum as a formal part of the party.
Although there were these warnings, the NWC, supported by the PDP Governors’ Forum, continued with the Ibadan convention, causing worries that the party's internal disputes might escalate in the coming weeks.
Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info).
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