An Oyo State High Court in Ibadan has extended its interim order restraining any interference with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ahead of its National Convention, scheduled for November 15–16 in the Oyo State capital.
Presiding Judge Justice Ladiran Akintola, in a ruling on Thursday, maintained that the interim injunction granted on an ex-parte motion filed by the claimant will remain in effect until Friday, when the substantive case is scheduled for further hearing.
The order effectively shields the opposition party from disruptions ahead of the critical convention, following arguments from counsel representing both parties.
Justice Akintola also ruled on a separate application for joinder filed by another party, stating that it could not be entertained because the affidavit accompanying the motion was unsigned by the deponent.
However, counsel to the defendant, Emmanuel Ukala (SAN), argued that the omission did not invalidate the application, noting that the deponent’s identity was clearly established. The judge held that while the application could not be accepted in its current form, it could be properly refiled.
Speaking after the proceedings, counsel to the claimant, Musibau Adetunmbi (SAN), confirmed that the interim injunction remains valid and enforceable pending the substantive hearing.
“We were about to take the application for joinder when the Court discovered that the affidavit was not signed.
However, the other party has indicated interest to file another one. That is what transpired in court today,” Adetunmbi explained.
The court had earlier allowed the PDP to proceed with its National Convention in Ibadan, following an ex-parte motion seeking to restrain the defendants — Acting National Chairman Umar Iliya Damagum; Adamawa State Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri (on behalf of the National Convention Organising Committee); and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) — from truncating or frustrating the conduct of the event.
Read Also: PDP postpones 103rd NEC meeting
The court also directed PDP leadership to strictly adhere to the published guidelines, timetable, and schedule of activities for the convention.
In response, the PDP reaffirmed its commitment to holding the convention as planned, accusing the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of attempting to sabotage the event through misinformation and legal distractions.
In a statement, Hon. Debo Ologunagba, PDP National Publicity Secretary, said:
“The National Working Committee, NWC, and the 2025 National Convention Organising Committee of the PDP informs all party members and the general public that the 2025 National Convention of the PDP has not been postponed but will go on as scheduled on Saturday, 15th to Sunday, 16th November, 2025 in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.”
Ologunagba accused the APC of sponsoring false narratives to mislead the public, calling it part of a “failed plot to weaken the opposition and destabilise democracy.”
“We are aware of the plots by the APC to destabilise the opposition and impose a one-party state in the country — a design that will be lawfully resisted,” he added.