Acting National Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Umar Damagum, has praised the recent ruling by Justice Akintola of the Oyo State High Court, describing it as a “courageous” affirmation of the party’s constitutional right to conduct its 2025 Elective National Convention.
Speaking on Wednesday at the PDP Board of Trustees (BoT) meeting held at the Bauchi State Governor’s Lodge in Asokoro, Abuja, Damagum said the judgment resolved earlier legal obstacles and confirmed that the PDP has met all legal requirements to hold its internal democratic exercise.
“This judgment is not just a victory for our party, but for democracy itself,” he said, commending the court for its independence “in an era of judicial intimidation and moral compromise.”
Damagum also reflected on the internal challenges facing the PDP, emphasizing that his leadership has prioritized reconciliation over confrontation since the 2023 general elections.
“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 stated.
He urged the incoming National Working Committee (NWC) to show courage, integrity, and commitment to uniting the party, reviving its structures, and reenergizing members nationwide.
“This meeting is convened to provide strategic direction for our planning toward the convention and to resolve all outstanding issues,” Damagum said, calling for “sincere deliberations, good faith arguments, and unity of purpose.”
BoT Chairman, Adolphus Wabara, also spoke at the meeting, appealing to all aggrieved members to prioritize reconciliation for the sake of the party’s unity. He reaffirmed the board’s neutrality, saying its role was to mediate and foster peace among party members.
Present at the meeting were BoT Secretary Ahmed Makarafi, Jerry Gana, Senator Ben Obi, Josephine Anenih, Zainab Maina, and members of the Umar Damagum-led NWC.
Court Clears PDP Convention
The Oyo State High Court in Ibadan on Tuesday cleared the PDP to proceed with its elective National Convention scheduled for November 15 and 16, 2025.
In his ruling, Justice A. L. Akintola granted an interim order permitting the party to hold the convention as planned in Ibadan, Oyo State. The court also directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to attend, monitor, and observe the event pending the hearing of the substantive motion.
The ruling followed an ex parte application filed by Folahan Adelabi against the PDP, its Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, Governor Umaru Fintiri (Chairman, National Convention Organising Committee), and INEC. Adelabi had sought to restrain the defendants from truncating or disrupting the timetable and schedule of activities leading to the convention.
What you should know
Umar Damagum has led the PDP through a period of internal division and restructuring since the 2023 elections. His reconciliatory approach and emphasis on unity have been seen as stabilizing efforts within the party.
The court ruling marks a significant milestone, clearing the way for the PDP’s 2025 National Convention—an event expected to shape the party’s leadership and direction ahead of the next general elections.
