According to Nivo News, tensions escalated within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Thursday as Governor Siminalayi Fubara and several prominent figures boycotted the factional national convention scheduled to take place in Ibadan. The event, championed by the Damagum-led faction, drew hundreds of delegates from across the country despite intense legal battles and internal divisions threatening to derail the gathering.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Host Governor Seyi Makinde reportedly met extensively with former Jigawa Governor Sule Lamido in a last-minute effort to persuade him to attend, but Lamido insisted he would not participate. Other key party leaders expected to shun the meeting include Taraba Governor Agbu Kefas, who is said to be on his way to the APC; Rivers Governor Fubara; former Senate President Bukola Saraki; FCT Minister Nyesom Wike; and former Benue Governor Samuel Ortom.

The divide deepened after a Federal High Court in Abuja ordered the suspension of the convention until Lamido is allowed to obtain a nomination form to contest for the office of national chairman. Justice Peter Lifu also restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from supervising, monitoring, or recognising any outcome of a convention held without Lamido’s inclusion.

In a parallel development, however, an Oyo State High Court granted approval for the event to proceed and directed INEC to monitor it. According to Nivo News, officials at the commission were reviewing the conflicting rulings last night.

Meanwhile, excitement surged at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Adamasingba, where preparations for the convention intensified. The arena was decorated in the PDP’s colours—white, red, and green—while supporters danced, sang, and displayed banners reading “Seyi Makinde for President.” The party insisted on X that the convention would hold as planned, describing it as a pivotal moment ahead of the 2027 elections.

Despite the show of enthusiasm, concerns mounted over the legal uncertainty surrounding the process. Delegates from several states, including Ogun, Osun, Ekiti, Ondo, Lagos, Kwara, Delta, Adamawa, Zamfara, Edo, Bayelsa, and Cross River, had already arrived in Ibadan by Thursday night, with more en route. Luxury buses branded for the convention were stationed at the Government House to shuttle participants to the venue.

In the judgment delivered earlier in the day, Justice Lifu ruled that Lamido had been unjustly denied the opportunity to contest and declared that the PDP must provide him with a nomination form and sufficient time to campaign. He insisted that no political party should benefit from violating its own constitution or that of the country. Lamido later raised the alarm about fabricated reports claiming he had withdrawn his case, urging the public to disregard them.

At the Oyo High Court, proceedings continued on a separate suit challenging the convention. Justice Ladiran Akintola adjourned ruling on INEC’s jurisdictional objection to December 8 but reaffirmed an earlier interim order preventing interference with preparation for the event.

The Oyo State Police Command also pledged full security deployment to ensure a peaceful convention, warning against unauthorised gatherings and intensifying surveillance around key entry points, transport hubs, and the convention venue.

In Rivers State, the PDP leadership formally distanced itself from the Ibadan convention, citing a deepening leadership crisis at the national level, numerous litigations, and poor communication with Governor Fubara. According to Nivo News, the Rivers PDP emphasized that the ongoing turbulence had left the chapter completely sidelined.

A reconciliation committee led by Ambassador Hassan Adamu recommended that the convention be postponed entirely and replaced with an all-inclusive caretaker committee to prevent deeper fractures. The committee’s report faulted several governors and party officials for pursuing personal interests and highlighted growing friction between Wike, the Governors’ Forum, and the National Working Committee (NWC). However, the National Convention Organising Committee, chaired by Governor Ahmadu Fintiri, insisted that the convention was irrevocable.

The report alleged that distrust, internal sabotage, and the struggle for influence ahead of 2027 had weakened party unity. Wike reportedly criticized the reconciliation process, accused some governors of colluding with the ruling party, and insisted the convention should not proceed without adherence to court orders. In contrast, Governor Bala Mohammed accused Wike of betraying the party and attempting to destabilize its structures.

The battle for control of the PDP has now shifted to its national secretariat in Abuja, where both the Damagum and Wike factions have written to INEC seeking recognition as the legitimate leadership. According to Nivo News, the Wike group is preparing to remove staff perceived as loyal to the Damagum camp. Though Damagum recently attempted a similar purge, National Secretary Senator Samuel Anyanwu countered the move, locking down the secretariat and asserting firm control.

Dozens of vacancies were subsequently declared across various directorates, including administration, youth, finance, women affairs, organisation, and publicity. Applicants have been instructed to submit their applications by November 17, 2027, as the party moves to restructure its workforce.