Over 3,000 delegates will today gather in Ibadan, Oyo State, to elect a new National Working Committee (NWC) for the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Already, many of the delegates and supporters have shut down the ancient city as the party holds its elective national convention.
The convention is proceeding despite a fresh order by a Federal High Court in Abuja restraining the party from going ahead until it allows former Jigawa State governor Sule Lamido to purchase the nomination form for the party’s chairmanship.
In a counter move reminiscent of the back-and-forth that has trailed preparations for the convention, the Oyo State High Court has given the party the go-ahead to conduct the exercise.
Buoyed by the development, party leaders and members loyal to the Umar Damagum-led National Working Committee are set to proceed with the convention following the extension of an order by an Oyo State High Court allowing the exercise to hold.
On Thursday, supporters of the party from across the country had already taken over the Lekan Salami Stadium in the Adamasingba area of Ibadan. As late as 10:30 p.m., the stadium was buzzing with commercial and entertainment activities, with many traders saying they intended to remain there until after the convention.
Menawhile, four governors of the Peoples Democratic Party have arrived in Ibadan, Oyo State, as the party pushes forward with its national convention despite a Federal High Court order suspending the exercise.
The South-West chairman of the party, Kamorudeen Ajisafe, on Friday, confirmed the development.
He confirmed the presence of the governors of Bauchi (Bala Mohammed), Zamfara (Dauda Lawal), Adamawa (Ahmadu Fintiri) and Oyo (Seyi Makinde) ahead of the convention.