PDP National Convention Case: Court Affirms Ruling, Adjourns Further Hearing
•By KAZEEM OYENIYI
IBADAN – THE Oyo State High Court in Ibadan on Monday as Justice Ladiran Akintola once again adjourned the hearing of a Motion on Notice in the suit filed by Folahan Malomo Adelabi against the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), its Acting National Chairman, and other respondents.
The case, which has attracted growing political attention ahead of the party’s National Convention, will now continue on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, following the court’s decision to allow all parties more time to file and exchange necessary processes.
Justice Akintola, after listening to submissions from counsels representing both sides, stressed the importance of properly filing all relevant documents before substantive proceedings could begin.
The judge said the adjournment was necessary to enable the court take all pending applications together for a smooth hearing.
It will be recalled that the court had in a ruling delivered last week, granted an ex-parte order permitting the PDP to proceed with preparations for its scheduled National Convention while setting Monday, November 10, for the hearing of the Motion on Notice.
At the center of the case is the claimant’s prayer for an order restraining the defendants; Acting National Chairman Umar Iliya Damagum, Adamawa State Governor Rt. Hon. Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri (in his capacity as chairman of the National Convention Organising Committee), and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), from taking any action capable of disrupting or frustrating the conduct of the convention.
The court had earlier directed the PDP leadership to strictly comply with the guidelines, timetable, and schedule of activities previously released for the convention, warning against any deviation that could undermine internal party democracy.
Meanwhile, in a dramatic twist outside the courtroom, journalists who turned up to cover the proceedings were denied access.
Security operatives stationed at strategic points around the court premises mounted heavy restrictions, barring reporters from entry.
The unusually tight security arrangement, which saw officers from various agencies positioned at the court gates and corridors, fueled speculation that the case’s political sensitivity may have prompted the heightened caution.