Delegates of the Peoples Democratic Party arrived in Ibadan on Thursday ahead of the party’s national convention, even as legal disputes and internal divisions continued to threaten the event scheduled for Saturday and Sunday.
The convention has faced setbacks following conflicting court orders. A Federal High Court in Abuja halted the exercise after ruling that the party failed to follow its rules when notifying the Independent National Electoral Commission. The judge barred INEC from monitoring the event.
A court in Oyo State later granted an order that allowed the convention to proceed. Another ruling, delivered in Abuja on a suit filed by former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido, again suspended the event. The Oyo court then extended its order permitting the exercise, leaving the party with conflicting judgments ahead of the weekend.
Despite the uncertainty, preparations continued at the Lekan Salami Stadium, where over 3,000 delegates from the 36 states and the FCT are expected. Party leaders, stakeholders, and international observers are also expected. The Oyo State Deputy Governor, Bayo Lawal, visited the venue on Thursday, where workers were completing decorations and stage installations.
PDP National Vice Chairman (South-West), Kamorudeen Ajisafe, said the party had secured delegates from at least two-thirds of states, meeting the requirement for a valid convention. He said the party expected INEC officials and security agencies at the venue. He added that only a higher court could issue a binding directive on the convention due to the conflicting judgments.
Ajisafe dismissed calls for a caretaker committee, following a public appeal by former Senate President Bukola Saraki, who urged the party to suspend the convention and establish an interim leadership. Saraki warned that “conflicting court orders” had put the legitimacy of the convention in doubt, saying a caretaker team would protect the party from deeper conflict.
Also in Abuja, former presidential aspirant Gbenga Hashim-Olawepo backed Saraki’s call, saying the convention should not proceed until the factions reconcile.
But former PDP Board of Trustees Chairman Bode George rejected Saraki’s position, calling it “arrant nonsense.” He insisted the convention would hold and said anyone opposed to it was free to leave the party.
A rival faction led by Mohammed AbdulRahman asked members to stay away from the convention, claiming it violated court orders. The faction’s Board Chairman, Senator Mao Ohuabunwa, also warned that any convention held in disregard of the courts would lack legitimacy.
