By Benjamin Christian
The leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) under Ambassador Umar Damagum has reaffirmed that its National Elective Convention will proceed as planned on November 15 in Ibadan, Oyo State, despite ongoing internal disputes and conflicting court rulings.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, who also serves as Secretary of the Publicity and Communication Sub-Committee of the National Convention Organising Committee (NCOC), the PDP dismissed claims suggesting a postponement of the exercise.
“The NWC and the NCOC urge party members and Nigerians to disregard misleading claims being circulated by individuals working with the All Progressives Congress (APC) in its failed attempt to frustrate the PDP National Convention,” the statement read.
The party accused the ruling APC of fueling the crisis within its ranks in a bid to weaken the opposition and entrench a one-party system in Nigeria. “We are aware of the plots by the APC to destabilise the opposition and impose a one-party state in the country—a move that will be lawfully resisted,” the statement added.
The PDP’s insistence on going ahead with the convention comes amid a flurry of legal tussles. Three courts of coordinate jurisdiction have issued conflicting judgments—two restraining the party from holding the convention and one granting approval for it to proceed.
As both factions dig in, the stage appears set for a showdown in Ibadan between the Damagum-led group and the rival camp led by the party’s National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, a known ally of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
The Anyanwu faction, which has named Alhaji Mohammed Abdulrahman as acting national chairman following the suspension of key NWC members, has urged members to boycott the convention in Ibadan. In contrast, the Damagum camp has called on delegates and supporters nationwide to converge on the Oyo State capital for the event.
Ologunagba noted that preparations were in full swing, with delegates, party leaders, and supporters already arriving in Ibadan ahead of Saturday’s gathering.
“The NCOC and the party will continue to work round the clock to ensure a successful National Convention in Ibadan as scheduled,” he said, expressing appreciation to Nigerians for their continued support of the PDP.
