In a landmark judgment that has ended weeks of uncertainty, the Oyo State High Court sitting in Ibadan has given the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) the green light to proceed with its Elective National Convention scheduled for November 15 and 16, 2025, at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Adamasingba, Ibadan.
Delivering the ruling on Monday, November 3, 2025, Justice A. L. Akintola upheld the right of the PDP to go ahead with its convention and directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to monitor and observe the exercise to ensure full compliance with electoral laws.
The judgment, delivered in Suit No. I/1336/2025, was filed by Folahan Malamo Adelabi, an aspirant for the position of Deputy National Organizing Secretary of the PDP.
Justice Akintola ordered that “the PDP, its servants, agents, or officers must not truncate, frustrate, or disrupt the approved guidelines, timetable, and schedule of activities” leading to the national convention.
The court also mandated INEC to deploy officials to monitor and observe proceedings during the event, noting that such oversight would “reinforce the transparency and legitimacy” of the entire process.
Furthermore, Justice Akintola directed Rt. Hon. Umaru Ahmadu Fintiri, Chairman of the National Convention Organizing Committee (NCOC) and Governor of Adamawa State, to proceed with all necessary arrangements for the successful conduct of the convention.
The ruling effectively removes all legal obstacles that had threatened to derail the PDP’s convention preparations, allowing the party’s leadership to finalize logistics for the attendance of over 3,000 delegates, including governors, National Assembly members, statutory delegates, and key stakeholders from across the federation and the Federal Capital Territory.
Party insiders described the verdict as a “victory for democracy and internal party unity,” setting the stage for what is expected to be one of the most decisive gatherings in the PDP’s recent history.
