Large crowds of PDP supporters have begun filling the Lekan Salami Stadium in Ibadan for the party’s national convention scheduled for November 15–16. Delegates from across the country arrived early on Saturday, with party officials estimating that more than 3,000 delegates are already in the city.
The convention is proceeding despite a fresh Federal High Court order in Abuja halting the event until former Jigawa governor Sule Lamido is allowed to purchase the chairmanship nomination form. An earlier ruling by Justice Peter Lifu also directed INEC not to monitor any convention excluding Lamido. This contradicts a separate Oyo State High Court order permitting the PDP to go ahead and instructing INEC to oversee the process.
Party leaders in Ibadan insist they are unaware of the Abuja ruling and say the convention will hold as planned, with four governors already present. The PDP remains divided between factions loyal to Nyesom Wike and acting chairman Umar Damagum, even as leaders argue the convention is crucial for reshaping the party ahead of 2027. INEC sources say the commission will not monitor the event due to the Abuja court’s directive.
