PDP Defies Court Order,Vows to Proceed with Ibadan Convention

PDP Defies Court Order, Vows to Proceed with Ibadan Convention

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has declared that its planned National Convention slated for November 15 and 16 in Ibadan, Oyo State, will proceed as scheduled despite a recent Federal High Court ruling restraining the event.

In a statement issued on Friday night by its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, the opposition party insisted that no valid court order had stopped its preparations or the conduct of the elective convention.

A few days earlier, Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, had restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising or publishing any outcome from the proposed convention, citing alleged breaches of the PDP’s internal rules.

However, the PDP faulted the ruling, describing it as “an assault on Nigeria’s democratic process.”

“The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is appalled by the judgement of the Federal High Court, Abuja, presided over by Hon. Justice Kolawole Omotosho, describing it as an assault on Nigeria’s democratic process,” the statement read.

The party maintained that the judgment does not invalidate its constitutional right to proceed with internal activities leading up to the convention to elect new national officers.

“Our party notes the recent judgement of the Supreme Court which reaffirms the supremacy of political parties in managing their internal affairs,” the statement added.

Ologunagba urged members and organs of the PDP to remain focused and committed to preparations for the convention, saying the party has already directed its legal team to appeal the judgment.

“As a party committed to the rule of law, we have instructed our lawyers to take immediate steps to appeal the ruling in our determination to uphold and defend multiparty democracy in Nigeria,” he said.

The PDP, which has been battling internal divisions ahead of the 2025 convention, said the exercise remains crucial for repositioning the party and strengthening its democratic structures nationwide.