The Oyo State High Court sitting in Ibadan has adjourned ruling on a preliminary objection contesting its jurisdiction in a suit seeking to stop the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) national convention scheduled for November 15 and 16, 2025.
The suit was filed by a PDP member, Mr Folahan Adelabi, who is challenging moves to halt or disrupt preparations for the convention.
At Friday’s hearing, counsel for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), O. Adeyemi, argued that the High Court lacked jurisdiction to hear the case since INEC, as a Federal Government agency, is only answerable to the Federal High Court.
He urged the court to strike out the suit, insisting, “INEC is a federal agency and falls strictly under the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court. This court cannot entertain this matter.”
But counsel for the claimant, Musibau Adetumbi, SAN, opposed the objection, insisting that the argument violated the claimant’s fundamental rights.
He argued that the 1999 Constitution guarantees the right of association and peaceful assembly, including political conventions.
Citing Section 251 of the Constitution, Adetumbi maintained that INEC did not fall within the category of institutions that would automatically oust the jurisdiction of the State High Court.
After hearing arguments from both parties, the presiding judge, Justice Ladiran Akintola, adjourned ruling on the objection to December 8, 2025.
He also reaffirmed that the interim injunction earlier granted, restraining the defendants from disrupting or interfering with preparations for the PDP national convention, remains valid.
The defendants in the suit include:
The PDP (1st defendant)
Its Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum (2nd defendant)
Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Fintiri, Chairman of the Convention Organising Committee (3rd defendant)
INEC (4th defendant)
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