The lingering leadership crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) took a new turn on Monday as an Oyo State High Court ordered the party and its acting National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Iliya Damagum, to proceed with the long-awaited national convention.
Delivering his ruling, Justice A.L. Akintola directed that the convention be held as scheduled on November 15, 2025, in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital. The court’s decision followed an ex parte application filed by Folahan Malomo Adelabi, who sought judicial intervention to compel the party’s leadership to uphold its constitutional obligation and convene the convention without further delay.
Justice Akintola’s order is seen as a major step toward resolving months of internal wrangling within the PDP over leadership and structural control, especially amid calls from key stakeholders for a full transition from Damagum’s interim leadership.
The ruling reportedly mandates the PDP national executive to make all necessary arrangements for the successful conduct of the convention, where new national officers are expected to be elected.
Political observers say the judgment could reshape the internal dynamics of the opposition party, which has been grappling with factional disputes since the 2023 general elections. Party loyalists and interest groups have since intensified consultations ahead of what is expected to be a decisive gathering in Ibadan.
With the court’s directive now in place, attention shifts to how quickly the PDP leadership will comply with the order and whether it will ease tensions or further deepen the party’s internal divisions.
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