Alhaji Umar Damagum, Acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has praised a recent ruling by Justice Akintola of the Oyo State High Court as “courageous,” saying it affirms the party’s constitutional right to hold its 2025 Elective National Convention.
Alhaji Damagum made the remarks on Wednesday during a Board of Trustees (BoT) meeting at the Bauchi State Governor’s Lodge in Asokoro, Abuja.
He described the ruling as resolving previous legal challenges and confirming that the PDP has met all legal requirements for its internal democratic exercise.
“This judgment is not just a victory for our party, but for democracy itself,” Damagum said, commending the judge for standing firm “despite an era of judicial intimidation and moral compromise.”
Reflecting on internal divisions, Damagum emphasised reconciliation over vengeance, noting that all his decisions have aimed to strengthen the institution of the PDP rather than favour any individual or faction.
He urged the incoming National Working Committee (NWC) to demonstrate courage, integrity, and leadership capable of uniting the party and revitalising its structures.
Also speaking at the meeting, BoT Chairman Adolphus Wabara called on warring party members to prioritise reconciliation.
He stressed that the board would remain neutral and focus solely on mediating differences.
Damagum described the court’s decision as a step toward unity and strategic planning for the convention, calling for “sincere deliberations, good faith arguments, and unity of purpose” for the good of the party and the nation.
Present at the meeting were BoT Secretary Ahmed Makarafi, Jerry Gana, Senator Ben Obi, Josephine Anenih, Zainab Maina, and members of Damagum’s NWC team.
The Oyo State High Court in Ibadan cleared the PDP to hold its elective convention scheduled for November 15–16, 2025.
In a ruling delivered by Justice A. L. Akintola, the court granted an interim order allowing the party to proceed as planned and directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to monitor the exercise pending the hearing of the substantive motion.
The ruling followed an ex parte application by Folahan Adelabi, who had sought to restrain the party and its leadership from disrupting the convention timetable.
