• Oyo Court extends interim order permitting PDP to hold convention in Ibadan
• Wike, Lamido camps battle Damagum-led faction over party control
• Delegates, governors, and party leaders already in Oyo for Saturday’s convention
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Preparations for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) national convention scheduled for Saturday have intensified as the Oyo State High Court sitting in Ibadan extended its interim order permitting the party to proceed with the event.
The ruling comes amid conflicting verdicts from Abuja courts, which had earlier restrained the party from holding the convention pending the hearing of suits filed by former Governor Sule Lamido and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.
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Despite the legal tension, PDP leaders and delegates have arrived in Ibadan ahead of the convention slated for the Lekan Salami Stadium, Adamasingba. Inspections of the venue were led by Senator Ben Obi, National Secretary of the Convention Committee, and other subcommittee chairmen.
The court, presided over by Justice Ladiran Akintola, ruled that the interim order allowing the convention would subsist until the substantive suit is determined. The judge fixed Friday for hearing and directed all parties to adhere strictly to the earlier-approved timetable and guidelines.
“Having listened to the counsel of both parties, the case has been adjourned till tomorrow (Friday) for hearing,” Justice Akintola stated.
The legal wrangling is part of a wider internal struggle within the PDP, divided between the Amb. Illiya Damagum-led faction, backed by the party’s governors, and the Wike-Lamido bloc, which has shown alignment with the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Meanwhile, in a statement signed by Hon. Debo Ologunagba, PDP National Publicity Secretary, the Damagum camp reaffirmed that the 15–16 November convention would go on as planned.
“The PDP has not postponed its national convention. Nigerians should disregard misleading claims sponsored by those who wish to destabilise our democracy,” Ologunagba declared.
“We are aware of the APC’s plan to impose a one-party state. Such design will be lawfully resisted.”
He added that the National Convention Organising Committee (NCOC) was working round the clock to ensure a successful event, commending Nigerians for their support and urging all delegates to converge on Ibadan as scheduled.
The Abuja Federal High Court, presided over by Justice Peter Lifu, had on Tuesday granted an interim injunction restraining the PDP and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from proceeding with the convention. However, the Oyo Court’s decision reaffirmed the legality of the Ibadan gathering, setting the stage for another round of courtroom confrontation.
PDP’s Oyo State Chairman, Hon. Dayo Ogungbenro, dismissed the Abuja court’s ruling, insisting that the convention would hold as planned.
“Nothing can stop our convention. This is Oyo, where everything is taking place,” Ogungbenro said.
The hearing on all pending applications related to the case continues Friday at the Oyo State High Court, Ibadan.
