By Ayomide Otitoju
Acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Umar Damagum, has hailed the recent ruling by Justice A. L. 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 at the PDP Board of Trustees (BoT) meeting on Wednesday at the Bauchi State Governor’s Lodge in Asokoro, Abuja, Damagum said the judgment cleared all legal hurdles and confirmed the party’s readiness to conduct its internal democratic exercise.
“This judgment is not just a victory for our party but for democracy itself,” Damagum said, commending the judge for standing firm “in an era of judicial intimidation and moral compromise.”
Reflecting on the party’s internal divisions, Damagum said his leadership had prioritized reconciliation over retribution, stressing that unity was vital for the PDP’s survival beyond individual ambitions.
“Every decision I took, every compromise I made, was for the sake of the party. I chose the PDP — not individuals or factions — but the enduring institution that will outlive us all,” he stated.
The acting chairman urged the incoming National Working Committee (NWC) to lead with courage and integrity, uniting the party and revitalizing its structures nationwide.
“This meeting provides strategic direction for our convention planning and resolution of outstanding issues,” he said, calling for “sincere deliberations and unity of purpose.”
BoT Chairman, Senator Adolphus Wabara, also appealed to members to embrace peace and prioritize reconciliation, assuring that the board would remain neutral and continue mediating internal disputes.
Other attendees included BoT Secretary Ahmed Makarfi, Jerry Gana, Senator Ben Obi, Josephine Anenih, Zainab Maina, and members of the NWC.
On Tuesday, the Oyo State High Court in Ibadan granted an interim order permitting the PDP to hold its elective National Convention as scheduled for November 15–16, 2025, in Ibadan. Justice Akintola also directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to attend and monitor the exercise pending the hearing of a substantive motion on notice.
The ruling followed an ex parte application by Folahan Adelabi, who had sought to restrain the PDP, its acting chairman, and Governor Umaru Fintiri (chairman of the Convention Organizing Committee), alongside INEC, from disrupting the convention timetable and process.
