The Peoples Democratic Party has halted its planned national convention in Ibadan after a recent judgment from the Federal High Court in Abuja altered the party’s next step. The announcement was made by Acting National Chairman Abdulrahman Mohammed, who said the decision was necessary to comply with the court’s position on the matter.
Speaking during a press briefing on Wednesday, Mohammed explained that the party had now obtained the Certified True Copy of the ruling and could no longer proceed as originally scheduled. He said the leadership reviewed the judgment carefully before deciding that the convention should be suspended until further legal clarity is obtained.
Rather than present the move as a political retreat, the acting chairman framed it as an obligation under the law. He noted that the party leadership, working alongside National Secretary Samuel Anyanwu, decided that respecting judicial authority had to come first, especially in a situation already tied to internal disputes and legal interpretation.
He also disclosed that the PDP’s National Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade (SAN), had offered a detailed legal assessment of the judgment. That review, according to him, helped shape the party’s response and informed its decision to challenge the ruling at the Court of Appeal in search of clearer interpretation.
Mohammed maintained that going ahead with the convention despite the judgment would amount to disregarding due process. He stressed that the party was determined to avoid any action that could be seen as lawless or contrary to the principles it claims to uphold. Gossip News Now reports that the leadership believes suspension is the safest path while the legal process continues.
As part of that response, the party also moved to formally inform the Independent National Electoral Commission. Since INEC was involved in the original suit, Mohammed said it was important that the commission be notified of the PDP’s decision to suspend the event in line with the court’s directive.
He also reacted to reports about an ex-parte order from an Oyo State High Court, making it clear that such an order could not outrank an existing judgment delivered by the Federal High Court in Abuja. While he said the party was still awaiting the Certified True Copy of that separate order, he insisted that the PDP would continue to follow only what it considered the superior lawful authority.
The development adds another layer to the party’s ongoing internal leadership tensions, which have already generated uncertainty around structure, control, and direction. What was expected to be a major gathering in Ibadan has now become part of a broader legal and political struggle within the opposition party.
With the 2026 election cycle drawing closer, the convention’s suspension could carry wider implications for the PDP’s organization and momentum. The leadership now appears focused on resolving its legal obstacles first before returning to major internal activities that could shape the party’s future.
Commentary and Analysis
This decision shows how deeply the PDP’s internal crisis has become tied to the courts. What might have been handled purely as a political disagreement is now being shaped by judicial intervention, forcing party leaders to balance power struggles with legal caution.
The cancellation of the Ibadan convention may calm immediate legal risk, but it also highlights the fragility of party unity at a crucial time. If the PDP cannot quickly settle both the court issues and the leadership contest behind them, the fallout could affect its readiness for future electoral battles.
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