Dare Babalola
An Oyo State High Court in Ibadan has ruled that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) can proceed with its national convention, scheduled for November 15-16, 2025, in Ibadan.
The order was issued by Justice Ladiran Akintola while ruling on an ex parte motion brought before the court by Folahan Malomo Adelabi, who sued as the claimant/applicant in suit number I/1336/2025.
The case defendants comprise the PDP, its Acting National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Iliya Damagum, and the party’s National Working Committee and National Executive Committee members. Additionally, Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri of Adamawa State, along with members of the National Convention Organising Committee, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) are also part of the defendants.
In his ruling, Justice Akintola granted all the interim orders sought by the claimant, restraining the defendants or their agents from truncating or frustrating the conduct of the party’s scheduled national convention. The court also directed the PDP leadership to adhere strictly to the guidelines, timetable, and schedule of activities earlier released for the convention.
The court further ordered the party and its relevant committees to hold, conduct, and convene the elective national convention as planned in Ibadan, pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice. The judge also directed INEC to attend, monitor, and observe the conduct of the convention in line with the Electoral Act.
Justice Akintola stated that the claimant had established a case warranting urgent judicial intervention and commended the claimant’s demonstration of transparency by filing a motion on notice for interlocutory injunction alongside the ex parte application.
The matter has been adjourned till November 10, 2025, for the hearing of the motion on notice.
The certified true copy of the enrolment of order was signed by the Principal Registrar of the Oyo State High Court, Mrs. S. O. Hammed and issued at Ibadan under the seal of the court on November 3, 2025.
