Oyo High Court Affirms Validity of PDP National Convention

The Oyo State High Court sitting in Ibadan has affirmed the validity of the national convention of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) held in the state on November 15, 2025.

Delivering judgment on Friday, Justice Ladiran Akintola ruled in a suit filed by Folahan Malomo Adelabi, granting the reliefs sought by the claimant.

In a certified true copy of the judgment, the court held that the PDP satisfied all necessary conditions to conduct its national convention, regardless of whether it was monitored by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The judge resolved all issues raised in the suit in favour of the claimant, declaring that once properly convened, the convention was validly constituted and its resolutions binding on all relevant authorities and individuals.

The defendants in the suit included the PDP, its National Chairman, Umar Damagum, and Governor Umar Fintiri of Adamawa State.

The claimant had sought an interim injunction restraining any action capable of disrupting the convention, as well as an order directing the party leadership to adhere strictly to its guidelines, timetable and schedule of activities.

The case forms part of a series of conflicting court decisions surrounding the convention. While the Oyo High Court had earlier directed the party to proceed with the event, a Federal High Court in Abuja reportedly issued a restraining order shortly before the convention.

During the convention, new national officers, including the national chairman and members of the National Working Committee, were elected.

However, a subsequent judgment by a Federal High Court in Ibadan nullified the convention and barred the elected officials from parading themselves as party leaders.

The latest ruling further intensifies the legal battle over the PDP’s leadership and the legitimacy of its national convention.