Convention: Four PDP governors storm Ibadan as INEC signals boycott

Report on the PDP National Convention Crisis: Four Governors Storm Ibadan as INEC Signals Boycott

Introduction

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), once Nigeria’s dominant political force, is currently embroiled in a deep internal crisis that has culminated in conflicting court rulings, factional disputes, and a controversial national convention in Ibadan, Oyo State. On November 15, 2025, four PDP governors arrived in Ibadan to participate in the convention despite a Federal High Court order suspending the exercise. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), citing adherence to the law, signaled its refusal to monitor the event, further complicating the party’s already fragile situation.

Arrival of Governors and Convention Preparations

The governors of Bauchi (Bala Mohammed), Zamfara (Dauda Lawal), Adamawa (Ahmadu Fintiri), and Oyo (Seyi Makinde) were confirmed to have arrived in Ibadan ahead of the convention. Their presence was seen as a show of defiance against the Abuja court ruling that ordered the suspension of the exercise. Delegates from across the country also trooped into the venue, with preparations reportedly 98 percent complete. Traditional drumming and dancing marked the atmosphere, signaling the determination of party members to proceed with the convention despite looming legal and political uncertainties.

Conflicting Court Rulings

The PDP convention became the subject of conflicting judicial pronouncements. Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja ordered the suspension of the convention, ruling that former Jigawa State governor Sule Lamido had been unjustly denied the opportunity to purchase the nomination form for the position of National Chairman. The court directed that Lamido must be allowed to obtain the form, mobilize supporters, and campaign before any convention could be held.

In contrast, the Oyo State High Court sitting in Ibadan had earlier permitted the PDP to proceed with the convention. Justice Ladiran Akintola granted an ex parte order allowing INEC to attend and monitor the exercise. This clash of rulings created a legal quagmire, leaving the party torn between compliance with Abuja’s substantive judgment and Ibadan’s ex parte order.

INEC’s Position

INEC signaled its boycott of the convention, citing the Federal High Court ruling. Officials of the commission stressed their commitment to the rule of law, affirming that they would obey the Abuja court’s directive. Although INEC had prepared a press statement to clarify its position, the statement was later withdrawn, leaving uncertainty about its official communication. Nonetheless, sources within the commission confirmed that INEC would not monitor the Ibadan convention.

Reactions from Party Stakeholders

Sule Lamido, the former Jigawa governor at the center of the controversy, insisted that the party must obey the court ruling. He accused PDP governors of eroding internal democracy by attempting to control the party machinery. Lamido emphasized that attending the convention would amount to undermining the very judgment that restored his right to contest.

Party elders and stakeholders expressed divergent views. Bode George, a founding member of the PDP, dismissed claims of a crisis, arguing that Lamido had missed the official deadline for obtaining nomination forms. On the other hand, Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, defended the Abuja ruling and urged the party to suspend the convention. He criticized the Ibadan court’s ex parte order, arguing that it could not override a substantive judgment.

Reconciliation Efforts and Warnings

The PDP Board of Trustees (BoT) had earlier inaugurated a reconciliation committee chaired by Ambassador Hassan Adamu. The committee recommended postponing the convention until aggrieved parties were reconciled. Former Senate President Bukola Saraki also warned that proceeding under the current conditions could cause irreparable damage to the party, suggesting the formation of an all-inclusive caretaker committee.

Despite these warnings, the National Working Committee (NWC), backed by the PDP Governors’ Forum, pressed ahead with the Ibadan convention. This decision has raised fears of deepening internal divisions, with stakeholders cautioning that unresolved disputes could lead to defections and weaken the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Last Line of Action

The PDP national convention in Ibadan represents a critical juncture in the party’s history. The arrival of four governors in defiance of a Federal High Court ruling, coupled with INEC’s boycott, underscores the depth of the party’s internal crisis. Conflicting court orders, factional disputes, and accusations of impunity have left the PDP fractured, with rival factions operating from separate secretariats. Unless reconciliation efforts are prioritized and legal directives respected, the party risks further instability that could undermine its relevance in Nigeria’s political landscape.