Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, has rejected Tuesday’s ruling by an Oyo State High Court that permitted the Peoples Democratic Party to go ahead with its national convention slated for November 15 and 16, 2025, in Ibadan.
Justice Ladiran Akintola had granted an ex parte motion filed by Folahan Adelabi in suit I/1336/2025 and adjourned further hearing to November 10. The ruling conflicts with a Federal High Court judgment delivered in Abuja last Friday, which barred the PDP from holding the convention.
In the Abuja case, Justice James Omotosho ruled in suit FHC/ABJ/CS/2120/2025 that the party must comply with its constitution, the Nigerian Constitution, and the Electoral Act before proceeding. He also restrained INEC from recognising any convention not conducted in line with due process.
The Abuja suit was instituted by three PDP officials — Imo PDP chairman Austin Nwachukwu, Abia PDP chairman Amah Abraham Nnanna, and PDP South-South Secretary Turnah Alabh George. Justice Omotosho ordered the party to “put its house in order” and issue the mandatory 21-day notice to INEC.
Despite this, the Oyo court restrained the PDP leadership and its agents from obstructing the Ibadan convention and directed the party to adhere strictly to its earlier timetable. It further ordered INEC to attend and monitor the exercise.
Reacting, Wike, through his SSA Lere Olayinka, dismissed the Oyo ruling, insisting the Abuja judgment takes precedence.
He said:
“Are you unaware of the Federal High Court judgment delivered on Friday? How can an ex parte order override a judgment? An ex parte order lasts seven to fourteen days. Is the High Court in Ibadan an appellate court?”
Fresh PDP power struggle
Meanwhile, the crisis within the PDP has intensified as the factional National Chairman, Umar Damagum, has moved against former National Working Committee members, including suspended National Secretary Senator Samuel Anyanwu.
Damagum, in a letter to INEC Chairman Prof. Joash Amupitan, notified the commission of the suspension of Anyanwu and four others for alleged anti-party activities. The letter, dated November 1, followed the NWC’s emergency meeting on the same day.
The suspended officers include:
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Sen. Samuel Anyanwu – National Secretary
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Umar Bature – National Organising Secretary
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Kamaldeen Ajibade – National Legal Adviser
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Okechukwu Osuoha – Deputy National Legal Adviser
The NWC directed the Deputy National Secretary, Setonji Koshoedo, to act as National Secretary pending further action by the National Disciplinary Committee.
This development comes barely a day after Deputy National Chairman Mohammed Abdulrahman, backed by Wike, assumed office as acting national chairman, vowing to “return power to the people.”
Governors blamed for crisis
PDP Deputy National Youth Leader, Timothy Osadolor, criticised the party’s governors for fueling the leadership crisis, except Adamawa’s Ahmadu Fintiri, whom he praised for consistency.
He insisted the suspension of Anyanwu was invalid, saying it did not follow due process.
He added that Damagum is a capable leader but has been undermined by governors who “hijacked the party.”
Neither Damagum nor PDP spokesman Debo Ologunagba responded to calls for comment.
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