PDP Ibadan convention to proceed despite court order as the party dismisses postponement rumours and vows to resist attempts to destabilise it.
PDP Ibadan convention is set to proceed as planned on November 15–16, 2025, despite conflicting court rulings and internal divisions within the Peoples Democratic Party.
Also read: PDP insists national convention will hold in Ibadan
In a statement released on Wednesday, the PDP National Publicity Secretary and Secretary of the 2025 National Convention Organising Publicity Sub-committee, Debo Ologunagba, reaffirmed that the convention had not been postponed.
He described reports suggesting otherwise as “false, misleading, and the handiwork of political detractors.”
“The 2025 national convention of the PDP has not been postponed but will go on as scheduled in Ibadan, Oyo State,” Ologunagba stated.
“We urge all members and Nigerians to disregard the misleading claims being peddled by individuals recruited by the APC in its failed attempt to stop the PDP national convention.”
He accused the ruling All Progressives Congress of orchestrating efforts to destabilise the opposition and create conditions for a one-party state, insisting such moves “will be lawfully resisted.”
According to Ologunagba, the National Convention Organising Committee was working round the clock to ensure a seamless event, with delegates and stakeholders already arriving in Ibadan ahead of the two-day gathering.
However, a faction of the PDP loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, announced a suspension of the exercise, citing a ruling by Justice Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/2120/2025. Acting National Chairman, Alhaji Abdulrahman Muhammed, and National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, argued that the court had restrained the party from holding the convention pending the resolution of leadership disputes.
They maintained that the suspension was necessary “in obedience to the rule of law” and that an appeal had already been filed before the Court of Appeal.
The PDP Ibadan convention controversy stems from two conflicting court orders — one from the Federal High Court in Abuja halting the event and another from the Oyo State High Court permitting it to proceed.
While the National Working Committee and Board of Trustees rely on the Oyo ruling, Anyanwu insists that the Abuja judgment takes precedence, given its jurisdiction over national matters.
“The Abuja judgment takes precedence,” he said. “The Oyo order is merely an ex parte order lasting seven days. Before it was granted, we had already filed an appeal, which stays all actions pending its outcome.”
Anyanwu also dismissed reports linking his absence from a recent BoT meeting to internal rifts, saying the gathering was “not an official BoT meeting” as he was not invited.
He further revealed that the PDP national secretariat in Abuja was temporarily closed following an alleged attempt by suspected thugs to attack the premises, prompting him to seek police protection.
Despite mounting legal uncertainty and internal discord, both factions have maintained that the party remains committed to democracy, peace, and the rule of law.
Also read: Tensions Rise Ahead of PDP Ibadan Convention 2025 as Wike’s Camp Rejects Zoning Summit
For the PDP, the Ibadan convention is more than a procedural gathering — it represents a crucial test of unity and resilience as Nigeria’s leading opposition party strives to reposition itself ahead of the 2027 general elections.
