iDeemlawfulMassive crowds of PDP supporters have begun arriving at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Adamasingba, for the party’s 2025 national convention.
The two-day event, scheduled for November 15–16, will establish a new National Working Committee (NWC).
As early as 8:00 a.m. on Saturday, the venue was already buzzing with activities as delegates from the South-East, North, and South-West arrived in Ibadan and settled into hotels across the city.
The convention is going ahead despite a fresh order from the Federal High Court in Abuja stopping the exercise until former Jigawa governor, Sule Lamido, is allowed to purchase the nomination form for the national chairmanship.
In a counter ruling, the Oyo State High Court granted the party permission to proceed.
A party leader told Daily Trust that over 3,000 delegates had already arrived, insisting the PDP remains united despite reports of factional divisions.
According to him, the party is “ready to prevent Nigeria from becoming a one-party state” and believes the convention will reshape the political landscape ahead of 2027.
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The PDP is currently embroiled in internal crisis, with factions loyal to FCT Minister Nyesom Wike and acting National Chairman Umar Damagum clashing over control of the party.
Lamido had approached the Federal High Court after he was reportedly denied the chairmanship nomination form.
Justice Peter Lifu ruled that Lamido must be allowed to buy the form and campaign, ordering the PDP to halt the convention until then.
The judge also restrained INEC from monitoring or recognising any convention held without Lamido’s inclusion.
The ruling is similar to an earlier decision by Justice James Omotoso on October 31, stopping the convention.
However, the Oyo State High Court, on November 3, issued an opposite order directing the PDP to go ahead and instructing INEC to monitor the process.
PDP officials in Ibadan said they were unaware of the latest Abuja ruling and insisted the convention would hold as planned. Four governors—Bauchi, Zamfara, Adamawa, and Oyo—were confirmed to be present.
INEC insiders told PUNCH, the commission will not monitor the PDP convention, stressing that it must obey the Abuja High Court ruling.
Although a press statement was reportedly drafted, it was withdrawn, and no official announcement has been made.
