Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State, is abuzz with last-minute preparations for the national convention of the Peoples Democratic Party amid a potential showdown between factional camps in the opposition party.

Billed to take place on Saturday and Sunday, the convention is perhaps the most controversial in the PDP?s history, as a faction of the party pulled out.

In the buildup to the event, the National Working Committee, led by the National Chairman, Umar Damagum, suspended the National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu; the National Organising Secretary, Umar Bature; and the National Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade, for one month for alleged anti-party activities.

This was the sequel to Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja?s ruling, which placed the convention on hold, citing the party?s failure to abide by its own rules.

Omotosho anchored his ruling on the failure by the leadership of the party to have its designated officials sign the notice of the convention before transmitting the same to the Independent National Electoral Commission.

As a result, the judge barred INEC from monitoring the event.

Relief, however, came the way of the Damagum-led NWC when Justice Ladiran Akintola, through an ex parte motion, directed the PDP to conduct the convention.

Earlier in the week, Justice Peter Lifu appeared to have dashed the hope of the main opposition party when ruling on a suit brought before him by former Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido, suspended the convention, citing Lamido ?s inability to get a nomination form to vie for the Office of the National Chairman at the convention.

Again, Justice Akintola extended his interim order and directed the PDP to go ahead with the convention.

On Wednesday, the Lekan Salami Stadium, venue of the convention, wore a new look, with massive decorations in the party?s colours still ongoing as of Thursday morning.

Over 3,000 delegates from the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory are expected to attend the event.

Also expected are party leaders, key stakeholders, and international observers, including members of the diplomatic community.

The convention will feature the election of key national officers, including a new National Chairman, National Secretary, and other key members of the NWC and their deputies.

The PUNCH gathered that the Oyo State Deputy Governor, Bayo Lawal, was on hand on Thursday to witness ongoing work at the Lekan Salami Stadium with a day left for the big event.

It was learnt that events at the Lekan Salami Stadium would be transmitted to the public in English, Yoruba, Igbo, and Hausa to ensure inclusivity, with live broadcasts planned for global audiences.

24 states confirmed

The National Vice Chairman (South-West) of the PDP, Kamorudeen Ajisafe, confirmed that delegates, state chairmen, and party stakeholders were already arriving in Ibadan, Oyo State, ahead of the party?s convention.

As of Thursday night, delegates from different states had started arriving at the venue. Two party faithful from the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, told The PUNCH they arrived in Ibadan around 12 pm on Wednesday.

Speaking with The PUNCH on Thursday, Ajisafe said the party had secured the attendance of delegates from at least two-thirds of the 36 states, meeting the constitutional requirement for a valid convention. Over 3,000 delegates are statutorily expected to attend.

?The convention is still very much on. People have started arriving?delegates, stakeholders, state chairmen. We have secured two-thirds attendance of states, apart from one or two that we are doubting,? he said. ?So, even if you don?t have all 36 states, you are still good to go with two-thirds.?

On proceeding in spite of conflicting court judgments, Ajisafe stressed that only a ruling from a superior court would be binding on the convention.

?From the legal point of view, when there are conflicting judgments of courts of coordinate jurisdiction, the judgment is not binding on either party. It becomes persuasive. And it?s only a superior court that can give direction,? he explained.

Ajisafe also said the party expected representatives from both security agencies and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) at the venue.

?INEC will be there because we have met the stipulated rules and regulations of engagement with INEC, in line with the Electoral Act 2022, which requires notification 21 days before the convention. We have done that and even attended the National Executive Committee meeting afterwards. So, we are good to go,? he said.

Regarding the presence of security agencies, Ajisafe added: ?That is an extra comfort; they may come, they may not. But they have the statutory responsibility of doing their job, even to secure protesters, not to talk of political parties, where it involves life. As the biggest political party, they have to witness it.?

Responding to former Senate President Bukola Saraki?s call for the creation of a caretaker committee, Ajisafe said such a move could worsen the party?s crisis. ?Rather, the convention should give a direction on whether having a caretaker committee will be the way to go,? he said.

Meanwhile, speaking with The PUNCH at the venue of the convention on Thursday, the Secretary of the Venue Sub-Committee, Olajide Stanley, said all was set for the convention.

Olajide, who represents Ibadan North West and South West Federal Constituency, was at the convention venue with the Deputy Governor of the state, Bayo Lawal.

He said, ?As the Secretary of the Venue Sub-Committee under the leadership of the Deputy Governor, Bayo Lawal, I can tell you right now that if you look around, the stages are coming up, the flags are flying, rebranding is going on, and we are ready.

?I?ll say we?re about 60 per cent ready in terms of setup, and the convention is going on full force. We are extremely delighted that we are moving forward under the leadership of Seyi Makinde, the host governor. We are ready.?

Asked if there were challenges, he said, ?Logistics-wise, yes, because the Lagos-Ibadan expressway is a bit congested right now. You can imagine about 6,000 people trying to get to Ibadan for this event tomorrow (today).

?So, it?s pretty heavy, as heavy-duty trucks are moving stage and sound equipment here. Those are just the logistics challenges we?re facing. By and large, we are ready.?

Meanwhile, an INEC official stated that its legal team was reviewing the court orders, and a decision on whether to attend or boycott the convention on Saturday is expected soon.

?We will definitely decide before the convention begins,? our source said.

Saraki urges suspension

However, former Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, urged the leadership of the party to suspend its planned elective convention scheduled for November 15 and 16, 2025, in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

Saraki, a two-term governor of Kwara State, made the call on Wednesday while receiving members of the PDP Board of Trustees Reconciliation Team in his Abuja residence.

Saraki, who chairs the PDP National Reconciliation Committee, cautioned that proceeding with the convention under the current circumstances would only worsen the crisis.

In a statement shared via his verified X handle, Saraki disclosed that he met with the BoT Reconciliation Team, led by Ambassador Hassan Adamu (Wakilin Adamawa), to discuss the way forward for the party.

?It was a meaningful and incisive meeting during which matters of great importance affecting our party were discussed,? he wrote.

?We deliberated extensively on the national convention scheduled for November 15?16, 2025, in Ibadan. I expressed deep regret that, despite the selfless efforts of many party leaders, the exercise has become mired in extensive political and legal controversy. This does not bode well for our party or Nigeria?s democracy.?

Saraki emphasised that political disputes were best resolved through dialogue rather than litigation, noting that ?conflicting court orders? had cast serious doubt on the legality of the planned convention.

?As a leader, I cannot in good conscience support any action that will jeopardise the aspirations of our members,? he stated. ?The only viable solution now is for the party to constitute a Caretaker Committee to steer its affairs temporarily. This should be done within the next two days.?

He maintained that setting up a caretaker structure would restore confidence among members and provide a credible platform for aspirants seeking to contest elections under the PDP.

?In the present circumstance, no serious politician will risk contesting on a platform whose legal standing is uncertain,? Saraki warned. ?Going ahead with the Ibadan convention will only deepen the crisis and waste resources. It is not too late to find a win-win solution for the stability and unity of our great party.?

In the same vein, a PDP chieftain and former presidential aspirant, Gbenga Hashim-Olawepo, while speaking in Abuja on Thursday, said, ?The PDP cannot proceed with a convention this weekend. There is a need to reconcile the factions and restore unity.

?If a convention is held now, it could deepen the divisions and lead to further factionalization. Steps are being taken to ensure a single, united convention, and the caretaker committee proposal is central to that effort.?

Hashim noted that while a few may be determined to proceed, many governors understand that doing so could fracture the party.

?The PDP must be one. The caretaker committee is not aligned with any faction; it is a neutral mechanism to bring all parties together and safeguard the party?s future,? he added.

George slams Saraki

Meanwhile, former Chairman of the party?s Board of Trustees, Chief Bode George, criticised Bukola Saraki for suggesting the formation of a caretaker committee for the PDP.

Describing Saraki?s counsel as ?arrant nonsense,? the elder statesman said no genuine PDP member would call for the postponement of the convention.

?What is Saraki saying? That is arrant nonsense. Delegates have started arriving, and tomorrow (today), the Lagos delegates will leave for Ibadan,? he said.

George also accused Saraki of involving the suspended National Legal Adviser, Mr Ajibade, and questioned the call for a caretaker committee. ?We are going on with our convention,? he affirmed.

He further warned that anyone seeking to drag the PDP into unnecessary conflict was free to leave. ?If they want to leave, they should go. The babas who founded this party and handed it over to us will be turning in their graves now,? he added.

Shun convention ? AbdulRahman

The factional Chairman of the PDP, Mohammed AbdulRahman, has urged delegates to stay away from the purported national convention.

He made the call at a meeting of progressive and democratic stakeholders loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, at his residence on Thursday.

?I want to make it clear to all PDP members across the 36 states and the FCT that our position is open. We are law-abiding citizens and will act in line with the judgment of the Federal High Court and the other ruling delivered yesterday (Wednesday). We will obey both judgments,? AbdulRahman said.

He added, ?We call on all our delegates across the federation to stay away from the purported national convention in Ibadan. The decisions of the courts will stand, and we are committed to ensuring a stable democracy in Nigeria. As Acting National Chairman, with the support of the working committee and the Board Chairman, we will engage our leaders across the 36 states to return the party to its rightful owners?the electorate and Nigerians at large.?

Also speaking, Chairman of the factional Board of Trustees, Senator Mao Ohuabunwa, warned members against participating in the proposed Ibadan convention, calling it a violation of a subsisting court order.

?While any group of Nigerians has the constitutional liberty to assemble, such assemblies?when conducted in defiance of existing judicial pronouncements?hold no legitimacy or binding effect on the PDP family,? Ohuabunwa said.

He added, ?The proposed national convention in Ibadan contradicts the clear judgment of the Federal High Court and undermines the rule of law. We therefore enjoin all law-abiding party members, leaders, delegates, and stakeholders to stay away from any activity that goes against lawful directives and judicial clarity,? he stated in a communique issued at the end of the Board meeting.

Meanwhile, the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, commended members of the PDP for defending the party, stating that the faction would ensure that the rule of law was upheld and would not succumb to intimidation.

?I am happy with your concern about the party in your respective areas. I will continue to support you people, I won?t betray you people,? he said.

Also, speaking with one of our correspondents in Abuja on Thursday, a member of the Wike-led group and Deputy National Youth Leader of the party, Timothy Osadolor, said what is likely to happen in Ibadan would be an early Christmas party, not a convention.

?Ibadan convention, or whatever they call it, is a disaster waiting to happen for the party. We cannot be part of it because the outcome will spell doom for the PDP,? he said.

Lamido?s suit

The Federal High Court in Abuja, on Thursday, did not deliver judgment in the suit filed by former Governor of Jigawa State, Sule Lamido, challenging his exclusion from contesting the chairmanship position at the forthcoming national convention of the Peoples Democratic Party.

Lamido had approached the court to determine the legality of his exclusion from the PDP chairmanship contest, while also praying for an order to stop the convention.

Justice Peter Lifu had, on Tuesday, fixed November 13 for judgment after hearing final arguments from all parties.

During the proceedings, counsel for the plaintiff, Jeph Njikonye (SAN); counsel for the PDP, Omokayode Dada (SAN); Joseph Daudu (SAN), who represented defendants joined in the suit; and counsel for the Independent National Electoral Commission adopted their respective processes and addressed the court.

Earlier, Justice Lifu, while delivering a ruling on the ex parte motion filed by Lamido, held that the application was meritorious.

He noted that the former governor presented sufficient evidence showing that the PDP failed to publish the timetable for the convention as required by law.

On this note, he granted an interim order restraining the PDP from proceeding with its scheduled national convention pending the determination of the substantive suit.

He also restrained INEC from monitoring, supervising, or recognising the outcome of the convention until the case is fully determined.

He further held that the balance of convenience favoured Lamido, who would suffer greater harm if unlawfully excluded from the exercise.

?It is therefore necessary to grant the preservative order to prevent irreparable injustice,? the judge ruled.

However, at the resumed sitting on Thursday, Justice Lifu could not deliver the judgment as earlier scheduled.

The court registrar informed the lawyers, litigants, and Lamido ? who was present in court ? that the judgment was not ready, and that parties would be duly notified of a new date.

Rivers PDP divided

The Rivers State chapter of the PDP is split over participation in the national convention.

The factional chairman of the PDP in Rivers, Robinson Ewor, confirmed that his faction would take part in the convention.

?Yes, we are participating. We are going to Ibadan,? he told one of our correspondents. On the number of delegates from the state, he said, ?Until we get there, because some are travelling by flight and others by road, I will provide the exact number.?

However, the faction loyal to Wike has taken a different position. Its publicity secretary, Kenneth Yorwika, said the Rivers chapter aligned with their group would not attend the convention, citing court orders.

?We have received a Federal High Court judgment by Justice Omotosho halting the convention. How can we attend?? Yorwika asked.

He also referenced a follow-up order by Justice Peter Lifu, instituted by former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido, which restrained the convention until the substantive suit is heard.

Yorwika further said, ?Bukola Saraki advised a roundtable discussion to resolve these issues rather than resorting to court cases that could destroy the party. He requested to be excused from the convention. If the right steps are not taken and the party loses in the end, blame could be misplaced on the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory instead of the party itself.?

He emphasised that unresolved state congresses also make participation untenable.

?If these congresses are not concluded, who will be voting at the convention? The party must be whole, especially if we are preparing for the 2027 elections,? he added.

The divide in Rivers mirrors the broader national tensions within the PDP, with factions citing conflicting court judgments and differing interpretations of party processes as reasons for their respective stances. (PUNCH)

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