Confusion as court again orders PDP to proceed with national convention

The Oyo state high court in Ibadan has ruled that its earlier order directing the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to follow its timetable for the national convention remains valid.

On November 4, the court ordered PDP and Umar Damagum, the national chairman, to proceed with the party’s national convention fixed for November 15 in Ibadan, the Oyo state capital.

A.L. Akintola, the presiding judge, issued the order following an ex parte application filed by Folahan Malomo Adelabi.

The PDP, Damagum, Umar Fintiri, governor of the state, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) were listed as defendants in the suit.

During the hearing of the suit on Friday, O. Adeyemi, counsel to the INEC, moved a notion of preliminary objection challenging the jurisdiction of the court to hear the case involving the electoral umpire.

Adeyemi argued that INEC is only subject to the jurisdiction of the federal high court.

However, Musibau Adetumbi, counsel to the applicant, asked the court to dismiss the preliminary objection and hear the substantive suit.

Adetumbi argued that INEC did not exclusively fall within the category of agencies that require the jurisdiction of the federal high court.

After the arguments, Akintola adjourned the case to December 8 and ruled that the earlier order of the court issued on November 4 remains valid until the next adjourned date.

“Ruling in this matter is hereby adjourned till 8th December 2025. While the ruling is pending, the earlier orders of interim injunction shall continue to subsist and have effect until the next date of adjournment in this case,” the judge said.

PREVIOUS COURT JUDGMENTS

Earlier on Friday, a federal high court sitting in Abuja restrained the PDP from conducting its national convention scheduled to take place in Ibadan.

Peter Lifu, the presiding judge, gave the order while delivering judgement in a suit filed by Sule Lamido, the former governor of Jigawa.

Lamido had sued the party for allegedly denying him the opportunity to purchase the chairmanship nomination form to participate in the convention.

The order followed a similar ruling last month. On October 31, James Omotosho, an Abuja federal high court judge, stopped the PDP from going ahead with the convention.

However, despite conflicting court judgements, preparations have started at the Adamasingba Stadium in Ibadan for the national convention on Saturday.