Four Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors have arrived in Ibadan, Oyo State, as the party moves forward with its national convention despite a Federal High Court order suspending the exercise.

The South-West chairman of the party, Kamorudeen Ajisafe, confirmed the presence of the governors of Bauchi (Bala Mohammed), Zamfara (Dauda Lawal), Adamawa (Ahmadu Fintiri), and Oyo (Seyi Makinde) ahead of the convention.

Conflicting Court Rulings

The PDP has been engulfed in internal disputes, with factions loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesome Wike, and the acting Chairman Umar Damagum locked in a bitter confrontation over the convention, scheduled for today and Sunday, November 16.

In preparation for the convention, former Jigawa State governor Sule Lamido approached the Federal High Court in Abuja, claiming he was denied the opportunity to purchase the nomination form for the PDP national chairmanship.

Delivering judgment on Friday, Justice Peter Lifu ordered the suspension of the convention and restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from supervising or recognizing any convention conducted without including Lamido as a contestant. The judge emphasized that PDP members should have the opportunity to pursue political positions and directed the party to make the nomination forms available to Lamido.

Earlier, on November 11, Justice Lifu had issued a similar ruling restraining the party from holding the convention. Lamido’s legal team argued that proceeding with the convention would violate the party’s constitution and deny him the chance to contest.

However, a conflicting order from the Oyo State High Court on November 3 permitted the PDP to proceed with the convention. Justice Ladiran Akintola directed INEC to attend and monitor the event for the election of new national officers.

Reacting to Lifu’s ruling, Ajisafe said the party was unaware of any new court order and would follow the Ibadan High Court’s directive to hold the convention. He confirmed that the four governors were present and that preparations were 98% complete.

Delegates Arrive

By Friday night, delegates from multiple states, including Lagos, FCT, Bauchi, Akwa Ibom, Ebonyi, and Delta, had arrived at the venue. The atmosphere was festive, with traditional drums and dancing marking the arrival of participants. An Armoured Personnel Carrier with security operatives was also stationed at the entrance.

INEC Signals Boycott

INEC has indicated it will not monitor the PDP convention. A senior official emphasized that the commission is law-abiding and will respect the FCT High Court order. A press statement initially prepared to clarify INEC’s position was later withdrawn, and attempts to contact commission officials for comment were unsuccessful.

Lamido Blames Governors

Sule Lamido urged the party to obey the court order, blaming the governors for the ongoing crisis. He stated that he would not attend the convention, citing his legal protection from the court, and accused the governors of seeking control over party processes.

Wike and Bode George Clash

Founding PDP member Bode George dismissed claims of a crisis, insisting the party remained “solid and undivided,” and criticized Lamido for taking the party to court. In contrast, Wike defended the suspension of the convention and called on the party to respect court rulings. He distinguished between substantive judgments and ex parte orders, arguing that the Ibadan court’s directive should not override the Federal High Court’s substantive judgment.

Calls for Reconciliation

The South-South Zonal Secretary of the party, George Turna, and the Forum of PDP State Chairmen called on national leaders and governors to accept the reconciliation committee’s recommendations and suspend the convention. They criticized the conduct of state congresses and lack of proper procedures leading to the convention, highlighting that court rulings supported their concerns.

Govs and NWC Press Ahead

Despite these calls, the PDP National Working Committee and four governors proceeded with the convention. Internal divisions, rival factions, and disciplinary actions against some national officers have heightened tensions ahead of the 2027 elections. Former Senate President Bukola Saraki warned that proceeding under current conditions could cause irreparable damage and recommended forming an all-inclusive caretaker committee.

Internal Divisions Threaten Party Stability

Prominent stakeholders, including Adamawa Governor Ahmadu Fintiri, attended the convention, underscoring the ongoing internal turmoil. The PDP, once Nigeria’s dominant party, now faces deep mistrust among governors, the NWC, and members, threatening cohesion ahead of upcoming elections.

The Board of Trustees’ reconciliation committee highlighted widespread distrust, documented grievances against Wike, and warned that conflicting court orders could prevent INEC from monitoring the exercise. Despite these warnings, the Ibadan convention proceeded under the leadership of the National Working Committee and the PDP Governors’ Forum, raising concerns that internal conflicts could worsen in the coming weeks.