Fayose: PDP Now in Coma as Court Stops National Convention

Former Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Ayodele Fayose, has declared that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has slipped into political irrelevance following a Federal High Court ruling that halted its proposed national convention.

Speaking on Politics Today, a Channels Television programme, Fayose said the latest development has confirmed his earlier warnings that the opposition party was heading for collapse due to deep-seated internal wrangling and loss of key members.

“I said about a year ago that the PDP was in trouble and if urgent steps were not taken, the party would die. Unfortunately, the party is dead now,” Fayose said.

He lamented that most of the party’s prominent figures had abandoned ship, leaving the PDP without strong leadership.

“When the big heads in a party jump out of the water, that tells you there’s a problem. Who then will save Jerusalem when those meant to defend it have fled?” he asked rhetorically.

His remarks came shortly after Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court, Abuja, granted an interim injunction stopping the PDP from holding its national convention earlier scheduled for November 15 and 16 in Ibadan, Oyo State.

The judge restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from monitoring or recognising any decision or election that might emanate from the planned convention pending the determination of a suit filed by former Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido.

Lamido had approached the court, arguing that the planned convention would breach the party’s constitution and deny him the right to contest for the position of national chairman.

Justice Lifu, in his ruling, held that allowing the exercise to proceed could cause “greater harm,” stressing that due process must be followed in the conduct of the party’s internal affairs.

The ruling has further deepened the crisis rocking the PDP, which has been battling defections and leadership disputes since the 2023 general elections.

Fayose, however, expressed hope that genuine reconciliation among senior leaders could still revive the party if pursued sincerely and urgently.

“Only truth and reconciliation can bring the PDP back. But time is not on our side,” he warned.