Court clears PDP to hold national convention in Oyo

Court Clears PDP to Hold National Convention in Oyo

In a significant legal development, the Oyo State High Court has granted the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) the go-ahead to proceed with its elective national convention, scheduled to take place on November 15 and 16, 2025, in Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State.

This decision followed a legal challenge that sought to halt the convention, raising concerns over potential disruptions to the party’s internal democratic process.

The case was brought before the court through an ex-parte motion filed by Folahan Adelabi. The motion named several key figures and institutions as defendants, including the PDP itself, its Acting National Chairman Umar Damagum, Governor Umaru Fintiri, who chairs the National Convention Organising Committee, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Adelabi’s legal action aimed to prevent any alterations or interference with the timetable, guidelines, or schedule already set for the convention.

Justice A. L. Akintola, presiding over the matter, ruled in favor of the claimant, stating that the motion had merit and warranted immediate judicial intervention. The court issued an interim order that permits the PDP to continue its preparations and conduct the convention as planned, without obstruction.

Furthermore, the court directed INEC to attend and monitor the convention, reinforcing the legitimacy and transparency of the process.

The interim order, dated November 3, 2025, was officially sealed by the Oyo State High Court and endorsed by its Principal Registrar, S. O. Hammed.

The court has also scheduled a hearing for the substantive motion for an interlocutory injunction on November 10, 2025.

This upcoming hearing will further determine the legal standing of the parties involved and whether the interim order should be sustained or modified.

This ruling represents a crucial moment for the PDP as it prepares to elect new national officers and potentially redefine its strategic direction ahead of future political contests.

The court’s intervention ensures that the party’s internal processes are protected from last-minute legal entanglements that could derail its organizational plans.