The Peoples Democratic Party is facing a fresh wave of uncertainty as four state governors stormed Ibadan for the party’s national convention, even though a Federal High Court ruling has ordered that the exercise be halted.
Their arrival, heavy with political symbolism, showed the battle for control within a party now pulled in opposite judicial directions.
Party officials and delegates had begun converging on the Oyo State capital on Friday, signalling their readiness to proceed with the convention despite growing legal turbulence.
Their confidence appeared bolstered by a competing court order originating from Oyo State which authorised the party to go ahead.
The governors already in Ibadan include Seyi Makinde of Oyo, Bala Mohammed of Bauchi, Dauda Lawal of Zamfara, and Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa.
Their presence was confirmed by the party’s South-West Chairman, Kamorudeen Ajisafe, who insisted that preparations were in “full gear.”
The crisis deepened after Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja issued a judgment stopping the convention, ruling that former Jigawa State governor, Sule Lamido, was unlawfully barred from purchasing a nomination form to contest for National Chairman.
Furthermore, the court held that the PDP had a constitutional duty to provide equal access to internal elections.
In his decision, Justice Lifu restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission from recognising any convention held without Lamido being allowed to contest.
He further mandated the PDP to make nomination forms available to him, stating that no convention should proceed until this condition is met.
However, the Oyo State High Court had earlier permitted the convention to go forward. Justice Ladiran Akintola, ruling on an ex parte application, directed INEC to attend and monitor the election of new national officers, creating a direct clash between the courts.
Ajisafe, in reaction to the Abuja ruling, said the party had not been officially informed. He added that the PDP was proceeding based on the Oyo court’s directive.
“We’re not aware of any fresh order,” he said. “As far as we’re concerned, the Ibadan ruling is the operative one. Our preparations are almost complete, and nothing suggests a postponement.”
He stressed that the arrival of the four governors was a sign that the convention would hold as planned.
“People are already on the ground. The momentum is high, and the party structure is intact,” he insisted.
The conflicting judgments have left party supporters and political observers unsure of what direction the PDP will eventually take.
Also, the unfolding legal drama now hangs heavily over the party’s attempt to elect new national leadership, offering yet another twist in the PDP’s long-running internal power struggles.
AFRIPOST reports that the uncertainty surrounding the convention may reshape the party’s internal dynamics in the days ahead, especially as both factions weigh their next legal and political manoeuvres.