In a major twist to the ongoing leadership crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party, the Oyo State High Court in Ibadan has given the party the green light to proceed with its national convention scheduled for November 15 and 16, 2025.
Justice A.L. Akintola granted an interim order on Monday allowing the PDP to hold the event as planned — and directed the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to attend and monitor the exercise pending further hearing.
The ruling followed an ex parte application by Folahan Adelabi, who had urged the court to stop any attempt to derail the party’s timetable or disrupt preparations for the convention.
Justice Akintola ruled that Adelabi showed enough urgency to warrant judicial intervention, saying, “The court finds merit in the claimant’s motion ex parte. The same succeeds and is hereby ordered as prayed.”
He also adjourned further hearing on the substantive motion to November 10.
Meanwhile, the new ruling contrasts sharply with a Federal High Court judgement in Abuja last week, where Justice James Omotosho halted the PDP convention, citing non-compliance with party procedures and the Electoral Act.
In response, the PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, rejected the Abuja court’s order, calling it an “assault on democracy.” The party has since directed its lawyers to appeal the judgement.
Amid the court drama, tensions flared at the PDP national secretariat in Abuja on Monday as Abdulrahman Mohammed, former Vice Chairman for the North Central, resumed as acting national chairman.
He was declared chairman by the Samuel Anyanwu-led faction following the suspension of Umar Damagum and Debo Ologunagba.
But in a swift counter, the Damagum-led faction also suspended Samuel Anyanwu and several other party executives, deepening the rift within the opposition.
Security was heavy around the party headquarters as rival supporters chanted solidarity songs and exchanged accusations over control of the PDP’s leadership.
With two conflicting court rulings and rival factions laying claim to leadership, the PDP’s national convention now hangs in the balance — as Nigeria’s main opposition party faces one of its biggest internal battles yet.
