The PDP convention in Ibadan triggers legal battles and factional clashes, highlighting internal party instability and leadership disputes.
Ibadan, Oyo State, 25 November 2025
The Peoples Democratic Party’s national convention held on November 15 and 16 in Ibadan has ignited legal confusion and factional violence, exposing deep divisions within the party.
Also read: Wike PDP Protest Sparks Tension at Abuja HQ
The gathering, led by the Damagum faction of the National Working Committee (NWC), proceeded despite three separate Federal High Court orders restraining the exercise.
The faction relied instead on an interim order from the Oyo State High Court granting permission to hold the convention.
Justice Ladiran Akintola’s November 4 ruling permitted the party to proceed without obstruction, coming after two Federal High Court injunctions in Abuja—delivered on October 31 and November 6—barred the convention on constitutional and party-guideline grounds.
Legal experts noted that courts of coordinate jurisdiction may issue conflicting rulings, creating uncertainty until a higher court intervenes.
The convention produced a new NWC, headed by Senior Advocate of Nigeria Kabiru Turaki as National Chairman.
It also saw the expulsion of several high-profile members, including Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Nyesom Wike, factional National Secretary Samuel Anyanwu, and former Ekiti Governor Ayo Fayose, over alleged anti-party activities.
Deputy National Youth Leader Timothy Osadolor rejected the convention’s legitimacy, branding it “an early Christmas party” and describing the proceedings as reckless and desperate. He insisted the decisions made had no legal foundation.
Conversely, South-West PDP Chairman Alhaji Kamorudeen Ajisafe defended the exercise, framing the conflict as political rather than judicial.
He cited the Oyo State High Court ruling and the faction’s adherence to statutory processes, including the 21-day notification to INEC, as justification for proceeding.
The convention’s aftermath escalated further on Tuesday when Turaki, joined by Governors Seyi Makinde and Bala Mohammed, attempted to hold a National Executive Council meeting at the PDP National Secretariat.
The Wike faction, already in control of the premises, resisted entry, prompting police to fire tear gas to disperse the crowd.
Both governors were seen wiping their faces as chaos engulfed the secretariat.
By Wednesday, authorities had sealed the secretariat with barbed wire to prevent further factional meetings.
Ajisafe condemned the standoff as shameful, accusing the Wike bloc of minority overreach, while Osadolor blamed the violence on Makinde and Mohammed, calling it “a complete disaster” that tarnished the party’s democratic credentials.
Also read: Abia PDP Criticises Leaders for 2023 Loss
Observers say the PDP convention crisis highlights the increasing reliance of political actors on the judiciary to gain advantage and raises broader questions about the stability and cohesion of Nigeria’s major parties.
