Four governors from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have touched down in Ibadan, Oyo State, despite a Federal High Court order halting the party’s planned national convention scheduled for Saturday and Sunday.
Kamorudeen Ajisafe, the PDP’s South-West Chairman, confirmed to Saturday Punch on Friday that Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, Zamfara’s Dauda Lawal, Adamawa’s Ahmadu Fintiri, and Oyo’s Seyi Makinde had already arrived in the city ahead of the convention.
Their presence comes as tensions escalate between factions loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and those aligned with Acting National Chairman Umar Damagum.
In the lead-up to the convention, former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido petitioned the Federal High Court in Abuja after being denied access to purchase the party’s national chairmanship nomination form.
On Friday, Justice Peter Lifu ruled to suspend the convention immediately.
The judge also barred the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from supervising, monitoring, or recognizing any PDP convention conducted without Lamido as a participant.
Justice Lifu noted that the evidence presented showed Lamido had been unfairly prevented from acquiring the nomination form, violating both the PDP constitution and its internal regulations.
He emphasized that the party is obligated to ensure all members have an equal opportunity to participate in internal democratic processes.
Issuing a consequential directive, the judge stated, “Before any convention is held, the PDP must provide nomination forms to the plaintiff,” allowing Lamido to secure the form, mobilize his supporters, and campaign effectively.
Conflicting Court Rulings Add to Uncertainty
However, the Oyo State High Court in Ibadan had previously issued a ruling permitting the PDP to proceed with the convention.
Justice Ladiran Akintola, ruling on an ex parte application by PDP member Folahan Adelabi, had authorized the party to continue with its convention plans and instructed INEC to oversee the election of new national officers.
Commenting on Friday’s development, Ajisafe claimed he was unaware of Justice Lifu’s ruling.
“We are not aware of any new court decision. As of now, none of the party’s leaders has been briefed about the order you mentioned,” he said.
He insisted that the convention would go ahead, citing the earlier Ibadan High Court ruling as their guiding directive.
“At this moment, four governors from Bauchi, Zamfara, Adamawa, and Oyo are already on site. We are 98 percent ready for the convention, and nothing will stop it,” Ajisafe added.
