PDP convention holds in Ibadan despise court stoppage

Ebun Emmanuel — November 15, 2025

The 2025 National Convention of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has officially opened at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Adamasingba, Ibadan, Oyo State, featuring colourful displays, flag presentations, and an early turnout of enthusiastic party members.

The convention began on Saturday with the traditional presentation of party flags to key leaders. Senator Natasha Akpoti received the Senate caucus flag on behalf of Senator Abba Moro, while Fred Agbedi collected the House of Representatives flag for the House caucus.

Governor Bala Mohammed received the Nigerian flag as Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde was handed the host state flag, PDP National Chairman Ambassador Umar Damagum received the party flag, and Governor Umaru Fintiri accepted the Convention Flag to formally declare the convention open.

The event comes against the backdrop of legal and political disputes. A faction loyal to the suspended National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, has continued to challenge the legitimacy of the convention, insisting it lacks proper legal backing.

The PDP Board of Trustees (BoT), led by Senator Adolphus Wabara, has dismissed those claims, maintaining that “the party has secured the necessary judicial clearance from an Oyo State High Court.”

The BoT reaffirmed its unwavering support for holding the elective convention on November 15–16, stressing that “the decision aligns with the Supreme Court’s stance on the supremacy of political parties in managing their internal affairs.”

According to the BoT, the suggestion of installing a caretaker committee is “unacceptable and not to be contemplated,” as the party has firmly resolved to proceed with an elective process to choose new leaders who will steer the PDP for the next four years.

The Board urged all members to remain focused, united, and committed to ensuring the success of the convention as the party works toward strengthening its internal democracy and future electoral prospects.

This is even as Senator Mao Ohuabunwa, the factional Chairman, Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), said there is no national convention of the party for now, saying the decision aligns strictly with a recent court judgment.

Speaking after a stakeholders’ meeting in Abuja on Thursday, the factional BoT Chairman noted that the faction was determined to end impunity and restore constitutional order within the PDP.

He noted that as law-abiding members of the party, the group decided to obey the substantive judgment of the Federal High Court, Abuja, which had earlier ruled against the Convention, as against the ex parte judgment in Ibadan, by the High Court in the State.

“As a law-abiding political party, we have decided to fully obey the law and the judgment of the court.