Oyo court orders PDP to proceed with national convention despite Abuja ruling

Judge directs INEC to monitor and ensure transparent conduct

A High Court sitting in Ibadan, Oyo State, has ordered the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its National Chairman, Umar Damagum, to proceed with the party’s national convention scheduled to hold on November 15, 2025, in the Oyo State capital.

The presiding judge, Justice A.L. Akintola, issued the directive on Tuesday following an ex parte application filed by Folahan Malomo Adelabi, an aspirant for the position of Deputy National Organizing Secretary of the PDP.

The order came amid internal legal disputes within the opposition party and follows an earlier Federal High Court ruling in Abuja that had halted the same convention pending the determination of a separate suit.

Court grants order in favour of PDP aspirant

In the new Oyo State High Court suit, marked No. I/1336/2025, the applicant, Folahan Malomo Adelabi, sought the court’s intervention to prevent any disruption to the planned convention. He argued that attempts to stop or delay the convention would be prejudicial to party democracy and contrary to the PDP’s constitution.

After reviewing the application, Justice Akintola granted an interim order compelling the party and all relevant stakeholders to continue with their preparations. The court also warned against any act that might frustrate or obstruct the successful conduct of the event.

Specifically, the court ordered the PDP, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and other respondents “not to truncate, frustrate, disrupt, prevent, or stop the scheduled national convention.”

INEC directed to deploy monitors and observers

In a decisive pronouncement, Justice Akintola further directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deploy its officials to monitor the convention. The judge emphasized that such supervision is necessary to ensure compliance with Nigeria’s electoral laws and internal democracy principles.

According to the ruling, INEC must send monitors and observers to oversee the proceedings and confirm that the election of party officers is conducted transparently and lawfully.

Legal analysts note that this aspect of the order reinforces the statutory role of INEC in monitoring political party activities, especially conventions and congresses that produce key party executives.

Court instructs organizing committee to proceed with arrangements

The court also issued a directive to Governor Umaru Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa State, who serves as the Chairman of the PDP National Convention Organizing Committee (NCOC), to go ahead with all logistical and administrative preparations for the event.

Justice Akintola stated that any attempt to halt or delay the exercise would undermine the PDP’s internal democratic processes and risk creating a leadership vacuum within the party.

The ruling has effectively given the green light for the PDP’s convention to proceed as planned, pending any further legal action or appeal that may be filed by the opposing parties.

Conflicting court orders deepen PDP legal uncertainty

The Oyo High Court’s order comes just days after a Federal High Court in Abuja issued a contrary ruling stopping the same convention. The Abuja court’s decision stemmed from a suit filed by another group within the party that challenged the legality of the planned exercise, citing procedural and leadership disputes.

This development has sparked renewed legal and political tension within the PDP, as conflicting court rulings now exist on the same matter. Party leaders are expected to seek legal clarification in the coming days to determine which judgment takes precedence.

Constitutional lawyers say that when two courts of coordinate jurisdiction issue conflicting orders, the matter may ultimately be referred to the Court of Appeal for resolution.

PDP members react to the development

Reactions have begun to trail the Oyo court ruling. Some PDP stakeholders have welcomed the decision, describing it as a positive step toward restoring order and unity within the party. Others, however, caution that the legal back-and-forth could affect public confidence in the party’s internal democratic processes.

A senior party official, who spoke anonymously, said the leadership would continue to respect judicial processes while ensuring that the convention proceeds in accordance with the law. “We are confident that the rule of law will prevail, and the PDP will come out stronger,” he said.

What the ruling means for the PDP

The decision by the Oyo High Court effectively empowers the PDP’s national leadership to move ahead with the November 15 convention in Ibadan, provided it complies with all legal and electoral requirements.

Observers note that the outcome of the convention could be pivotal for the party’s reorganization ahead of the 2027 general elections, as it is expected to produce a new set of national officers and define the PDP’s direction moving forward.