Oyo PDP Applauds Court Decision On Ibadan National Convention••••Says Party Set for Historic Gathering
•By OYENIYI KAZEEM
IBADAN – THE Oyo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has hailed the ruling of the Oyo State High Court which on Monday cleared the party to proceed with its elective national convention slated for November 15 and 16, 2025, in Ibadan.
Delivering the landmark judgment, Justice A. L. Akintola ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to monitor the proceedings and directed the National Convention Organising Committee (NCOC), led by Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri of Adamawa State, to continue with preparations without hindrance.
Reacting to the development on Tuesday at the party’s State Secretariat, Molete, Ibadan, the Oyo State Chairman of the PDP, Mr. Dayo Ogunbenro, described the judgment as a victory for democracy and a welcome relief for party members across the country.
“I am the state chairman of the party; do you expect me to be sad about that judgment? I’m happy, and the teeming supporters of the PDP in Oyo State are happy,” Ogunbenro said.
“We were in a meeting of the State Working Committee when His Excellency called to share the news. We are happy, and by the special grace of God, the convention will go on as planned.”
He noted that while politics naturally accommodates divergent interests, the PDP has internal mechanisms to resolve disputes and reconcile differences after the convention.
“Politics is about interests, sometimes you lose, sometimes you win. There will always be contentions, but after the convention, if there’s anything to mediate upon, we’ll do so,” he added.
Ogunbenro reaffirmed the PDP’s position as Nigeria’s leading opposition party, insisting that Nigerians were yearning for its return to power.
“Whether anybody likes it or not, PDP remains the only vibrant opposition party in this country today.
“Comparing Jonathan’s administration to Buhari’s and the current one, Nigerians can now see the difference. By 2027, the people will choose PDP again,” he maintained.
In the same vein, the State Publicity Secretary of the party, Mr. Michael Ogunshina, expressed gratitude for the court’s decision, saying it had restored confidence among members and delegates nationwide.
“We are indeed very pleased as a political party. We have been preparing for this convention for quite some time and have made all necessary arrangements for the venue.”
“When the unfortunate news broke last week that the convention had been suspended by a court of law, it was a major concern for us.”
“Therefore, we are delighted that another competent court has now given the green light for the convention to go ahead.”
Ogunshina clarified that the ruling was based on an ex parte motion and that the substantive hearing had been fixed for 10 November. He noted that the decision still allowed the party to continue its preparations.
“The ex parte motion was filed by one of the aspirants in the forthcoming election who, by law, has the locus standi to do so.”
“The court, in its wisdom, has taken the aspirant’s concerns into account while allowing the process to continue.”
“As a political party, we recognise that, like any large family, we have members with diverse interests and opinions. What matters most is our ability to harmonise those interests and bring everyone together,” he explained.
On the PDP’s national prospects, Ogunshina expressed optimism that Nigerians would vote overwhelmingly for the party in 2027, citing widespread dissatisfaction with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
“Governor Seyi Makinde has often said, and I echo his words, that the 2027 election will not merely be between the PDP and the APC; it will be between Nigerians and the APC.”
“The ruling APC has become its own greatest opposition. Nigerians are now yearning for the PDP’s return, and once we put our house in order, victory in 2027 is certain,” he stated.
PDP in the state, however, reaffirmed its readiness to host thousands of delegates and stakeholders from across the federation for what it described as a “historic and unifying” national convention in Ibadan, with the court’s clearance and preparations in full swing.