The Acting National Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Umar Damagum, has hailed the recent ruling by Justice Akintola of the Oyo State High Court as a “courageous” affirmation of the party’s constitutional right to hold its 2025 Elective National Convention.
Speaking on Wednesday at the PDP Board of Trustees (BoT) meeting at the Bauchi State Governor’s Lodge in Asokoro, Abuja, Damagum said the judgment resolved previous legal challenges and confirmed that the PDP had met all necessary requirements to conduct its internal democratic exercise.
“This judgment is not just a victory for our party but for democracy itself,” Damagum declared, commending the judge for standing firm “in an era of judicial intimidation and moral compromise.”
Reflecting on internal divisions, he noted that his leadership had prioritised reconciliation over retaliation, stressing the need to heal post-2023 election rifts. “Every decision I took, every compromise I made, every gesture of accommodation was for the sake of the Party. I chose the Party — not individuals or factions — but the enduring institution of the PDP that shall outlive us all,” he said.
He urged the incoming National Working Committee (NWC) to act with courage and integrity, uniting the party, reviving its structures, and inspiring members nationwide. “This meeting is convened to provide strategic direction for our planning toward the convention and to resolve all outstanding issues,” he added, calling for “sincere deliberations, good faith arguments, and unity of purpose.”
BoT Chairman Adolphus Wabara also appealed to aggrieved members to embrace reconciliation, stressing that the board would remain neutral and focus on mediation.
Those present included BoT Secretary Ahmed Makarafi, Jerry Gana, Senator Ben Obi, Josephine Anenih, Zainab Maina, and members of the Damagum-led NWC.
Meanwhile, the Oyo State High Court sitting in Ibadan cleared the PDP to proceed with its elective National Convention scheduled for 15–16 November 2025.
In his ruling, Justice A. L. Akintola granted an interim order allowing the party to hold the convention in Ibadan and directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to attend, monitor, and observe the proceedings pending the hearing of the substantive motion.
The ruling followed an ex parte application by Folahan Adelabi against the PDP, its Acting National Chairman, Governor Umaru Fintiri (representing the Convention Organising Committee), and INEC, seeking to prevent any disruption to the party’s planned convention activities.