Conflicting court orders deepen uncertainty within opposition party
Ibadan / Abuja — The crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has deepened following conflicting court orders and leadership tussles ahead of the party’s planned 2025 National Convention.
The Oyo State High Court has granted an interim order permitting the PDP to proceed with its national convention in Ibadan, Oyo State, despite a separate ruling by the Federal High Court in Abuja halting the exercise.
In a ruling delivered by Justice A. L. Akintola, the court directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to attend, monitor, and observe the convention pending the hearing and determination of the substantive motion on notice.
The order, dated November 3, 2025, was issued under the seal of the Oyo State High Court and signed by the Principal Registrar, S. O. Hammed.
The decision followed an ex-parte application filed by Folahan Adelabi against the PDP, its Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum; Governor Umaru Fintiri, representing the National Convention Organising Committee; and INEC.
After hearing the motion on Monday, Justice Akintola held that the claimant had successfully demonstrated the need for urgent judicial intervention.
“The court finds merit in the claimant’s motion ex-parte. The same succeeds and is hereby ordered as prayed,” the judge ruled.
He consequently granted the interim orders sought, restraining any interference with the PDP’s timetable and schedule of activities, and compelling the defendants to hold the national convention as fixed. The case was adjourned to November 10, 2025, for further hearing.
However, on Friday, Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, issued a contradictory order stopping the PDP’s planned convention until the party complies with statutory requirements under its constitution and the Electoral Act.
Delivering judgment in a suit filed by three aggrieved members of the party, Justice Omotosho also restrained INEC from accepting any report on the outcome of a convention not conducted in accordance with due process and the party’s guidelines.
In a swift reaction, the PDP rejected the Abuja court’s decision. Its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, said the ruling does not invalidate the party’s preparations for the national convention to elect new officers.
He described the judgment as “an assault on Nigeria’s democratic processes,” adding that the party’s legal team has been directed to file an appeal.
Meanwhile, tension heightened on Monday at the PDP national headquarters in Abuja, where heavy security presence was observed as the party’s former Vice Chairman (North Central), Abdulrahman Mohammed, resumed as Acting National Chairman.
Mohammed, who was declared acting chairman by the Samuel Anyanwu-led National Working Committee (NWC) following the suspension of Umar Damagum and Debo Ologunagba, addressed supporters at the PDP secretariat, confirming his assumption of office.
The development marks a new phase in the escalating power struggle within the opposition party.
Over the weekend, Damagum and some NWC members announced the suspension of National Secretary Samuel Anyanwu, National Organising Secretary Umar Bature, and other key officials.
In a counter move, Anyanwu led a faction of the NWC to suspend Damagum, Ologunagba, and four other principal officers, further deepening the leadership crisis.
While Mohammed resumed duties at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja on Monday, Damagum and his loyalists in the NWC were conspicuously absent, underscoring the widening division within the PDP ahead of its national convention.