No Turning Back from Convention - PDP

0 0 Wednesday, November 19, 2025

The People's Democratic Party (PDP) has pledged to continue with arrangements for its upcoming national convention scheduled for Novembe...

The People's Democratic Party (PDP) has pledged to continue with arrangements for its upcoming national convention scheduled for November 15 and 16, even in the face of a new Federal High Court directive prohibiting such actions.

The party's Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Ibrahim Abdullahi, stated to Daily Trust that the recent court decision halting the convention was "a waste of time," maintaining that the party is governed by an ongoing Supreme Court ruling which confirms that political parties have sole control over their internal matters.

Abdullahi's remarks followed Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja banning the PDP from conducting the convention on Tuesday. The decision directly opposes a previous ruling from the Oyo State High Court, which allowed the party to continue with the event, a situation that some legal experts have termed as misuse of the judicial process.

Responding yesterday, Abdullahi stated that the party could no longer be influenced by "bought rulings," noting that the PDP was established by Nigerians, not by the courts.

The decision is a waste of time. We have come too far to be told to halt," he stated. "We are not a political party established by a court but by Nigerians, and we are supposed to listen to Nigerians, not to imposed rulings.

There's no possibility they can prevent us. We possess a valid Supreme Court ruling stating that the internal matters of parties fall under their sole authority, and we are following this. Even if someone decides to overlook the Oyo State High Court's order that permitted us to proceed, they cannot disregard the Supreme Court's verdict. We cannot be swayed by conflicting court rulings. We have come too far; there's no turning back.

Let them wait. Once we are done, let them attempt not to identify it, if possible. Regardless, they can always challenge the decision, but we will continue forward.

Justice Lifu's order

On Tuesday, Judge Lifu halted the scheduled convention in Ibadan, instructing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) not to oversee, observe, or acknowledge the results of the process where national officers will be chosen.

The case was heard during the proceedings of a lawsuit initiated by a national chairmanship candidate and former governor of Jigawa State, Sule Lamido, who requested a temporary injunction to prevent the PDP from holding the convention until his main motion could be considered.

Lamido claimed he was prevented from buying the chairmanship nomination form, stating that the procedure breached his rights and the party's constitution.

Justice Lifu stated that the order was required because the PDP did not meet the conditions needed to conduct these conventions, such as not publishing the required notifications for members and failing to provide the mandatory 21-day notice prior to the event.

The judge decided that the overall advantage lay with Lamido, as he would face more significant damages if removed from the proceedings. He warned that the rule of law must be strictly adhered to in order to protect democracy, pointing out that the court has an obligation under Section 6 of the 1999 Constitution to step in when required.

Justice Lifu's decision was made several weeks after another judge, Justice James Omotosho, prohibited the PDP from conducting the convention on October 31, citing irregularities in the organization of state congresses across approximately 14 states, which INEC claimed breached election regulations.

Nevertheless, on November 4, Judge O. A. Akintola of the Oyo State High Court issued a conflicting ruling that endorsed the convention, pending the resolution of a legal case initiated by a PDP member from Oyo State, Folahan Malomo Adelabi.

The lawsuit named the PDP, Acting National Chairman Ambassador Umar Damagum representing the National Working Committee and National Executive Committee, Governor Umaru Fintiri representing the National Convention Organising Committee (NCOC), and INEC as the parties involved.

PDP could choose an interim management committee - NEC member

A member of the PDP's National Executive Committee (NEC), Timothy Osadolor, stated to Daily Trust that the party could be compelled to form an interim management committee if "reason does not take hold," particularly among the governors.

"The reality is that individuals who resist common sense and logic must understand how to follow the rules and respect the nation's constitution," he stated.

A respected court, the Federal High Court, issued a status quo, yet the Oyo State governor sought a swift ruling from the state judiciary, assuming it would function as an appellate body to the Federal High Court in Abuja.

At the close of the day, yet another Federal High Court, which has the proper authority, has once again issued an ex parte order today (Tuesday) preventing the convention from taking place, referencing violations in the internal procedures of the PDP, the same reasons that Justice Omotosho used in his previous decision.

Osadolor stated that if the current circumstances continue, the party might move towards ambiguity.

It's not too late, but as time passes, we are getting closer to a scenario where we might not be able to conduct the convention within the scheduled period. This could lead to the formation of an interim management committee to oversee the party.

That's not what we hope for. Our goal is for all involved parties to come together and determine the path ahead in the best interest of the party, rather than for the benefit of one individual or a limited group.

Osadolor also condemned the judicial system, alleging that certain judges were delivering "decisions in exchange for money."

"Our judicial system needs to take a stand and be recognized. This period where individuals can buy or pay for rulings must end, particularly within state courts," he stated.

The National Judicial Council needs to take action. There was a period when we had highly knowledgeable judges in court and at the legal profession, and such situations were unimaginable. We need to protect the judiciary before we can preserve our democracy.

He mentioned that although the circumstances were serious, there was still a chance for the PDP.

The situation is not entirely bleak for the PDP; there is still hope. However, these governors, particularly the one who appears eager to hold an early Christmas celebration in Ibadan, need to step down from their elevated positions and engage in dialogue with other involved parties. Although time is limited, it is still possible to address this crisis.

"If logic fails to take hold within the next seven days, PDP must begin preparing for 2031," he cautioned.

Supporters of a one-party system opposing the PDP convention -- Olafeso

Additionally, a former National Vice Chairman of the party, Eddy Olafeso, claimed that those who oppose the PDP's national convention are striving to create a one-party system in Nigeria.

Olafeso raised the claim on Tuesday during an appearance on Channels Television's Politics Today show, referring to the court's ruling as "the peak of judicial misconduct."

The restraining order issued by the Federal High Court today against our planned convention did not surprise us," he stated. "A group is intent on destroying the party entirely, but we will not let that happen. Good will triumph over evil.

Olafeso stated that the PDP would not be discouraged by the decision, showing confidence that the convention would proceed as planned.

"We will not tolerate this. I am motivated, like many of our colleagues, that this cannot be allowed. Truth and justice need to win," he stated.

He further claimed that individuals opposing the PDP had hidden intentions meant to undermine the opposition, and he criticized some ex-members for abandoning the party after having gained from it.

"They have their own goals. These are not in the interest of the public; they aim to establish a one-party system, which is not promising for our nation," he said.

"Several of them were unrecognized until they took on the role of governors. What confounds us is the extent of their defiance against the party that elevated them from anonymity to prominence. Still, some have now openly endorsed a different party in preparation for the 2027 election," Olafeso noted.

Committee inspects convention facilities

At the same time, officials from the National Convention Organising Committee (NCOC) visited Ibadan on Tuesday to assess the location for the convention.

The Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Barrister Bayo Lawal, who heads the Venue Subcommittee for the 2025 PDP National Convention, conducted the visit at the Lekan Salami Stadium.

The committee also met with stadium managers and builders to complete arrangements before Saturday's event.

Tagged: Nigeria, West Africa

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