The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has pressed ahead with preparations for its National Convention scheduled for November 15 and 16 in Ibadan, Oyo State, despite a pending court injunction seeking to halt the event.
On Saturday, the main opposition party announced the formation of a 13-member committee tasked with screening aspirants for various elective positions.
The panel is headed by Mr. Eyitayo Jegede (SAN), a former governorship candidate of the party in Ondo State.
The committee, constituted by the PDP’s Convention Organising Committee (NCOC) led by Adamawa State Governor Ahmadu Fintiri, includes former governors Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola (Osun) and Achike Udenwa (Imo), alongside prominent party figures such as Mrs. Josephine Anenih, Hajiya Mariam Chiroma, Felix Hassan Hyat, Emmanuel Enoidem, Mrs. Aduke Maina, and Zainab Maina. Hon. Mohammed Diri serves as deputy chairman, while Asue Ighodalo and Jacob Otorkpa occupy the roles of secretary and deputy secretary, respectively. Screening of aspirants is set to begin on Tuesday.
The move comes as a suit challenging the convention, filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja by Imo State PDP chairman Austine Nwachukwu, Abia State chairman Amah Abraham Nnanna, and South-South secretary Turnah George, all allies of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, awaits judgment.
Justice James Omotoso has scheduled a ruling for October 31 on the matter, following the conclusion of final arguments last week.
In a related development, the PDP in Kebbi State has rejected reports that Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, a former Minister of Special Duties, has been chosen as the party’s consensus candidate for National Chairman.
PDP leaders from the Northern region had earlier indicated support for Turaki.
However, speaking to journalists in Birnin Kebbi on Saturday, the state party’s Publicity Secretary, Sani Dododo, said the decision was taken without adequate consultation with stakeholders in the North-west zone.
Dododo emphasised that the state leadership had not been involved in the reported nomination and urged the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) to allow the North-west zone to select its own candidate in line with the party’s zoning arrangement.
“The North-west elders should be allowed to sit down, deliberate, and produce a candidate that will represent the zone,” he said.
Governor Fintiri had earlier clarified that the Northern endorsement of Turaki did not preclude other aspirants from contesting the position, highlighting ongoing negotiations within the party ahead of the Ibadan convention.
