PDP forges ahead With Ibadan National Convention amid legal turmoil

Despite being entangled in a web of legal challenges and internal factional wars, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) launched its high-stakes national convention in Ibadan on Saturday, transforming the Lekan Salami Stadium into a hub of political activity.

Preparations were in full swing from the early hours, with the stadium and its environs teeming with delegates, security personnel, and logistics teams. A massive crowd flowed into the Adamasingba area, prompting the planning committee to implement extensive traffic diversions and coordinate with transport unions to manage the influx.

Security was visibly heightened, with a strong presence from the police, NSCDC, DSS, and the local Amotekun corps stationed around the venue to maintain order.

The city’s hotels were reportedly fully booked as delegates and party chieftains arrived from across Nigeria.

The convention unfolds against a backdrop of deep internal division. The PDP is currently split between two rival factions.

One led by the Acting National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Damagum, which is proceeding with the Convention. Another led by Abdulrahman Muhammed, which has announced the convention’s cancellation, citing a ruling from a Federal High Court in Abuja.

This factionalisation has been fueled by objections from supporters of Minister Nyesom Wike, who demanded unresolved issues from party congresses be settled first.

The legal situation is complex and contradictory. A Federal High Court in Abuja has issued an injunction halting the convention.

However, the PDP’s Board of Trustees has backed the event, brushing aside this injunction.

Meanwhile, an Oyo State High Court has affirmed an interim order allowing preparations to continue uninterrupted. After hearing arguments on jurisdiction in a separate suit, Justice Ladiran Akintola adjourned his ruling until December 8, 2025.

With massive crowds converging, heavy security in place, and conflicting court orders hanging over the proceedings, the PDP stands at a historical crossroads.

The outcome of this convention will determine whether it can bridge its internal divides or if the event will ultimately deepen the party’s existing rifts.

About The Author

Dele Fashomi

Dele Fashomi, seasoned journalist and communication teacher, is a holder of Master of Arts degree in Communication and Language Arts from the University of Ibadan in 1992/93.

Earlier, he had bagged a Bachelor degree from the same university in 1984, after which he proceeded to the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Lagos, in 1990, for a postgraduate diploma in Journalism.

He had done many courses in communication, including the EU-BBC Editing Course in 2002.

Mr. Fashomi combines effectively the practice, research and teaching of communication. And to date, he has published two academic works in communication: Issues in Communication Technology and Policy (2010) and Economic and Social Issues in Advertising and PR (2013).

He had his first break in the Nigerian media in Concord Newspapers in 1990 and today, he has over two and half decades experience earned in several newspapers.

He has been part of many start-ups, such as The Republic (1987), The Comet (1999), The Anchor 2001 – 2002; Sun Newspapers (2003); Westerner newsmagazine (2005 – 2010) as Editor; National Life (2011) as Sunday Editor, and Newswatch Newspapers (2012- 2016) as Daily Editor.

Dele Fashomi is now the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of Newstide247.com newspaper online, which he started in July 2015. He is also into biography writing, with many books in his trail, some of which he wrote alone and one he co- authored with his mentor, Mr Dare Babarinsa, entitled:  Olabiyi Durojaiye – DARE TO BE DiFFERENT. He also guided and collaborated with Pa Olatunji Odusanya in writing his autobiography – AGAINST ALL ODDS. There are many other books in the works under his pen.

See author's posts