The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has rejected Tuesday’s ruling of the Oyo State High Court approving the Peoples Democratic Party’s planned national convention in Ibadan, describing it as inferior to the earlier judgment of the Federal High Court in Abuja, which halted the event.

Justice Ladiran Akintola of the Oyo High Court had on Monday granted an ex parte motion filed by one Folahan Adelabi, permitting the PDP to proceed with its elective convention scheduled for November 15 and 16, 2025, pending the hearing of the motion on notice on November 10.

The order, however, contradicts a subsisting judgment delivered last Friday by Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, which restrained the PDP from holding the convention until it complies with its constitution, the Electoral Act, and the statutory 21-day notice to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Justice Omotosho, ruling in suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/2120/2025 filed by three aggrieved PDP members Austin Nwachukwu, Amah Abraham Nnanna, and Turnah Alabh George directed the party to “go back and put its house in order” before proceeding with the planned convention.

He also barred INEC from recognising the outcome of any convention conducted in breach of the law.

But in the Oyo case, Justice Akintola restrained the defendants the PDP, Acting National Chairman Umar Damagum, Adamawa State Governor Ahmadu Fintiri, and INEC from “truncating or frustrating” the convention. The judge ordered that the convention proceed as scheduled in Ibadan, directing INEC to attend and monitor it.

Reacting to the conflicting orders, Wike, through his Senior Special Assistant, Lere Olayinka, dismissed the Oyo ruling, arguing that it could not override a Federal High Court judgment.

“Are you unaware of the judgment of the Federal High Court last Friday? Another court now gave an ex parte order! Do you know what an ex parte order means? It expires in seven or at most 14 days. Is the High Court in Ibadan the Court of Appeal? Is that an order you should obey?” Wike queried.

He stressed that the Abuja ruling remained binding on all parties until set aside by a superior court.

PDP Power Tussle Deepens

Meanwhile, the crisis within the PDP escalated on Tuesday as factional National Chairman Umar Damagum moved against key members of the National Working Committee, including suspended National Secretary Senator Samuel Anyanwu.

In a letter dated November 1 and addressed to INEC Chairman Prof. Joash Amupitan, Damagum announced the suspension of Anyanwu and four others for alleged anti-party activities.

The letter, co-signed by Deputy National Chairman (South) Taofeek Arapaja and 12 other NWC members, stated that the affected officers would face the National Disciplinary Committee.

“The above-named national officers are consequently suspended for a period of one month and referred to the National Disciplinary Committee for further action,” the letter read in part.

The development followed Monday’s takeover of the PDP national secretariat by the party’s Deputy National Chairman, Mohammed Abdulrahman, who was backed by Wike and Anyanwu’s loyalists.

Abdulrahman vowed to “return power to the people” and reposition the opposition party.

‘Governors to Blame for PDP Crisis’ — Osadolor

Deputy National Youth Leader of the PDP, Timothy Osadolor, attributed the party’s deepening crisis to what he called “leadership failure” among its governors.

“It is the governors’ leadership failure that brought about some of these issues. They have refused to take firm positions in party leadership,” Osadolor said.

He singled out Governor Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa as the only exception, describing him as “consistent and decisive.”

Osadolor also faulted Anyanwu’s suspension, calling it “null, void and illegal,” and urging the governors to “come down from their high horse” to resolve the dispute.

As at press time, neither Damagum nor the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, had responded to calls seeking their comment.