Delegates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have begun arriving in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, ahead of the national convention scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, even as the party battles conflicting court orders, internal pushback, and intensifying demands for a caretaker committee to steer its affairs.
By Thursday evening, party chieftains, loyalists of the Umar Damagum-led National Working Committee (NWC), and members of convention subcommittees had begun converging on the city, insisting that the convention would proceed despite growing resistance from a rival bloc.
Deputy Governor of Oyo State and Chairman of the Venue Subcommittee, Engr. Bayo Lawal, inspected preparations at Lekan Salami Stadium and expressed confidence that the venue would be ready before the event opens.
According to him, the pace of work and the presence of committee members reflected strong readiness.
His optimism aligns with Damagum’s camp, which insists the party cannot afford another postponement after months of disputes over leadership, zoning, and preparations for the 2027 elections.
South-South Zonal Caretaker Chairman, Elder Emmanuel Ogidi, confirmed that many leaders had arrived, while others were expected today.
He maintained that governors and NWC members loyal to Damagum were committed to attending, dismissing calls for a caretaker committee as unconstitutional.
“What you should know is that we are going ahead with our convention. There is no provision for any caretaker committee,” Ogidi told Daily Trust.
After a closed-door meeting involving PDP governors, the Damagum-led NWC, and the Board of Trustees (BoT), Adamawa State Governor Ahmadu Fintiri insisted the convention would hold as scheduled.
“We are going to Ibadan. The convention is sacrosanct,” he said.
However, sources revealed that discussions were tense, with leaders weighing the legal and political risks of proceeding amid conflicting court orders. Some governors and senior stakeholders were said to be seriously considering the caretaker option, arguing it may offer the most legally defensible path forward.
The PDP caucus in the House of Representatives issued a statement urging members to disregard the cancellation notice circulated by the faction loyal to Senator Samuel Anyanwu.
Signed by Hon. Frederick Agbedi and Hon. Midala Balami, the caucus described the event as the “Ibadan 2025 Elective Convention,” calling on members to attend a pre-convention meeting at 10 a.m. on Saturday.
The caucus insisted the cancellation emanated from suspended officials who no longer hold legitimacy.
Despite the influx of delegates, a powerful faction aligned with FCT Minister Nyesom Wike maintained its opposition, citing legal uncertainties and escalating internal disputes. The group argues that going ahead with the convention under such circumstances is “a dangerous gamble.”
Opponents pushing for a caretaker arrangement include Wike, former Senate President Bukola Saraki, former governors Ayo Fayose, Samuel Ortom, Sule Lamido, Okezie Ikpeazu, PDP National Secretary Senator Samuel Anyanwu, and 2027 presidential aspirant Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim. Several state executives from the North-West and North-Central are also reportedly considering a boycott.
The crisis is further compounded by contradictory court rulings:
31 October: Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, barred INEC from monitoring the convention over alleged failure to meet statutory notification timelines.
11 November: Justice Peter Lifu of the same Abuja division restrained both the PDP and INEC from proceeding with the convention, following Sule Lamido’s suit over his exclusion from purchasing nomination forms.
Ibadan: The Oyo State High Court, however, gave the go-ahead, directing that the convention could proceed in line with published guidelines. Justice Ladiran Akintola extended an earlier order in favour of the event.
These opposing decisions have split the party, with one faction citing the latest Ibadan order as binding, while the other insists that Abuja rulings remain superior and cannot be ignored.
Former Senate President Bukola Saraki publicly withdrew from the convention, warning that proceeding under the prevailing circumstances could worsen the party’s instability.
After meeting with the BoT reconciliation team led by Ambassador Hassan Adamu, Saraki described the situation as “mired in political and legal controversies.”
He proposed the immediate creation of a caretaker committee to rebuild trust, ensure neutrality, and stabilise the party. Saraki later met with Sule Lamido, whose lawsuit triggered one of the Abuja court orders.
The Federal High Court, Abuja, unexpectedly failed to deliver judgment on Lamido’s suit on Thursday, with Justice Lifu informing parties that the ruling was not ready.
Presenting its reconciliation report on Thursday, the PDP BoT led by Senator Adolphus Wabara reaffirmed that the convention would go ahead unless stopped by a valid court order.
Chief Bode George, speaking on Arise Television, rejected calls for suspension of the convention and described the caretaker proposal as unconstitutional and self-serving. He accused some leaders of undermining the party and criticised the Anyanwu faction for allegedly issuing an unauthorised postponement notice.
According to George, only three of the 19-member NWC support the faction’s position, and the majority remains committed to hosting the convention.