PDP’s National Convention Proceeds Amid Legal and Internal Struggles
A High Court of Oyo State, sitting in Ibadan, has granted the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) permission to hold its planned National Convention on November 15 and 16. The decision was made after a member of the party, Mr. Folahan Adelabi, filed an ex-parte application. Justice A. L. Akintola ruled that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) must attend and monitor the event.
The current leadership of the PDP, under Ambassador Iliya Damagun, is set to end next month. This ruling came just three days after another court had issued a conflicting order. Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja had previously told INEC not to participate in or recognize the Ibadan convention.
In his ruling, Justice Akintola restrained the defendants from taking any actions that could disrupt the National Convention. The defendants included the PDP, its National Chairman, members of the National Working Committee (NWC), and INEC. The judge emphasized the importance of following the Guidelines, Timetable, and Schedule of Activities for the convention.
The plaintiff, who sought the position of Deputy National Organising Secretary, argued that the party met all legal requirements for the convention. He requested an interim injunction to ensure the event proceeded as planned. The court found his case compelling and ordered the PDP and other parties involved to adhere to the guidelines.
The court also ordered INEC to monitor the convention, ensuring transparency. THISDAY learned that the PDP, its National Convention Organising Committee, and INEC had already been served with the court order. The substantive case will be heard on November 10.
PDP Petitions IGP Over Alleged Secretariat Takeover
In another development, the PDP petitioned the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to investigate what it described as a violent invasion of its National Secretariat in Abuja. The incident reportedly left several staff members injured and was led by suspended national secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, with the help of security operatives.
The petition, signed by Damagum, stated that the NWC had suspended four national officers, including Anyanwu, over alleged anti-party activities. According to the petition, the invasion occurred on November 3, 2025, when the suspended officials forced their way into the secretariat, causing chaos and injuring staff.
The petition claimed that a female staff member fainted due to tear gas, while others sustained injuries. It also alleged that intruders attempted to install a member of the NWC as acting National Chairman. The PDP criticized the role of the Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, questioning the deployment of security personnel without notifying the National Chairman.
PDP BoT Enters Leadership Crisis
The Board of Trustees (BoT) of PDP has announced its intention to intervene in the leadership crisis within the party. The embattled national chairman, Ambassador Illya Damagum, and other members of the party had written to INEC about the suspension of several officials, including the National Secretary, Samuel Anyanwu.
In a letter dated November 4, 2025, the NWC notified INEC of the suspensions. Meanwhile, the Anyanwu faction of the NWC also wrote to INEC about the suspension of some NWC members.
Chinwe I. Nnorom, National Director of Publicity, invited members for a BoT meeting scheduled for November 5, 2025, to address the suspensions and counter-suspensions of NWC members.
PDP youth leaders in the North-central zone supported Alhaji Abdulrahman Muhammed as acting National Chairman. They pledged their support for Muhammed, the NWC, and the founding fathers of the party. However, some delegates disassociated themselves from Muhammed, passing a vote of no confidence.
At a meeting, delegates walked out, protesting the lack of input in the communique. Led by Alhassan Dangana, they rejected being forced to sign a document without their consent. A woman leader also stormed out, objecting to the imposition of a communique she knew nothing about.
Condemnation of Secretariat Invasion
The PDP National Ex-Officio Forum condemned the invasion of the party’s national secretariat, calling it a display of political lawlessness. In a communiqué, the forum stated that the incident violated the party’s constitution and undermined internal democracy. It criticized those behind the action for showing disdain for order and the collective will of PDP supporters.