PDP Demands Ibadan Convention Despite Court Orders

The People's Democratic Party has confirmed that its national convention, set for November 15–16, 2025, in Ibadan, Oyo State, will go ah...

The People's Democratic Party has confirmed that its national convention, set for November 15–16, 2025, in Ibadan, Oyo State, will go ahead as planned, even following a recent court decision.

In a statement released on Wednesday, Debo Ologunagba, the PDP National Publicity Secretary and head of the 2025 National Convention Organising Publicity Sub-committee, labeled claims about a delay as "false, deceptive, and the work of political opponents."

The message stated in part, “The 2025 national convention of the PDP has not been delayed but will proceed as planned on Saturday, November 15, and Sunday, November 16, 2025, in Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State.”

We call on all party members and Nigerians to ignore the false statements being promoted by certain people hired by the All Progressives Congress in a failed effort to prevent the PDP national convention.

He blamed the ruling APC for trying to undermine the leading opposition party and set the stage for a single-party system, promising that these actions "will be legally opposed."

Ologunagba mentioned that the National Convention Organising Committee was putting in great effort to guarantee a seamless and effective event, pointing out that delegates and interested parties had already started arriving in Ibadan.

Nevertheless, a group within the party aligned with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, had previously declared the postponement of the convention, referencing a ruling made by Judge Omotosho from the Federal High Court in Abuja, in Case No. FHC/ABJ/CS/2120/2025.

Acting National Chairman, Alhaji Abdulrahman Muhammed, and National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, stated that the court has prevented the PDP from continuing with the convention until the leadership conflict is resolved.

They revealed that the party had submitted an appeal to the Court of Appeal and chose to halt the process "in accordance with the rule of law."

"Having submitted an appeal and in accordance with our duty to maintain the rule of law, the PDP has now put on hold and annulled the planned Ibadan National Convention until the Court of Appeal makes a ruling," Muhammed said recently.

The opposing views arise from two separate court decisions — one from Abuja and the other from Oyo State. Although the Federal High Court in Abuja prevented the PDP from proceeding with the convention, a High Court in Oyo issued an ex parte order allowing the event to take place.

The Oyo system has been referenced by the National Working Committee (NWC) and members of the Board of Trustees (BoT) as the legal foundation for ongoing efforts.

Senator Anyanwu, nevertheless, stated that the Abuja decision is more authoritative, as cases concerning national institutions are under the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court.

The Abuja ruling is the top priority," he stated. "The Oyo order is just an ex parte order that is valid for seven days. Prior to its issuance, we had already submitted an appeal, which means all activities are halted until it is resolved.

Anyanwu also responded to reports about his absence from a meeting of the PDP Board of Trustees, where members reportedly supported the continuation of the convention. He described the meeting as "one-sided," stating he had not been invited.

If I wasn't invited, then that meeting can't be considered a BoT meeting," he stated. "Most of the people there haven't been verified as BoT members. It was a get-together of friends and associates, not an official BoT meeting.

The suspended National Secretary also revealed that the PDP national headquarters in Abuja was temporarily closed earlier in the week after an alleged effort by suspected individuals to assault the building.

On November 1, I contacted the Inspector-General of Police and the DSS following intelligence about an anticipated attack on the secretariat. I was almost attacked when I reached the office, and it was the police who protected the staff from danger," he said. "The closure was essential for safety.

Although there is an internal conflict, both groups maintain that the PDP continues to be united in its dedication to democracy, the legal system, and harmony.

The Ibadan gathering, set to choose new national leaders and reshape the party for the 2027 elections, has turned into a measure of the opposition's unity as internal disagreements and legal ambiguity continue to rise.

Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info).