The Peoples Democratic Party made a bold statement on Saturday by proceeding with its National Elective Convention in Ibadan despite facing multiple court rulings that sought to stop the political gathering.
Grand Opening Ceremony
The 10,000-capacity Adamasingba Stadium and surrounding areas were filled to capacity with delegates, party officials, and enthusiastic supporters who had traveled from across Nigeria's 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
The convention commenced with a symbolic flag presentation ceremony that saw key party leaders receiving various flags. PDP National Chairman, Ambassador Ilya Damagum, was handed the party flag, while Convention Committee Chairman and Adamawa State governor, Ahmadu Fintiri, received the Convention Flag.
Other notable recipients included Chairman of the PDP Governors' Forum and Bauchi State governor, Senator Bala Mohammed, who received the Nigerian Flag, and host governor Seyi Makinde, who was presented with the Oyo State Flag. Senate Minority Leader Senator Abba Moro and Hon. Fred Agbedi received the Senate and House of Representatives flags respectively.
Defiance Against Legal Challenges
Despite an Abuja High Court ruling obtained by former Adamawa governor Sule Lamido and other existing court orders aimed at stopping the convention, party leaders remained resolute in their decision to proceed with the event.
Members of the Board of Trustees expressed strong confidence in the legality of the exercise. National Vice Chairman (South South), Emma Ogini, told journalists that the court rulings posed no significant threat to the process.
"Look at the delegates and the crowd—they came voluntarily. We will appeal the judgments. This party is an Iroko tree; no amount of scheming from the APC or federal might can uproot it," Ogini stated, while alleging that President Bola Tinubu was behind the crisis facing the party.
Strong Words from Party Elders
Former Deputy National Chairman, Chief Olabode George, criticized Lamido for taking the party to court, asserting that the convention and its outcomes would stand "regardless of the antics of the party's undertakers."
In his opening remarks, Convention Committee Chairman Ahmadu Fintiri dismissed what he called "deliberate obstacles" placed before the PDP. He assured delegates that all resolutions reached during the convention would remain valid and binding.
National Chairman Damagum, while welcoming delegates, urged party members to maintain calm and remain committed to the party's revival efforts. He specifically commended Governor Makinde, the Convention Committee, and state governors for their crucial roles in organizing the successful exercise.
The convention was formally declared open at exactly 4:06 p.m. by Ambassador Damagum, marking a significant moment in the party's history.
Optimism for Party Revival
Host Governor Seyi Makinde expressed strong confidence that the ongoing convention would mark a major turning point for the PDP at the national level. He commended the resilience and steadfastness of party members across Nigeria, acknowledging that the journey to the convention had been long and challenging.
"Let me use this opportunity to welcome you to Ibadan. It has been a long stretch of battles to get to this point. This exercise will be the convention that brings about the turnaround of the PDP nationally," Makinde declared.
Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State, speaking on behalf of the PDP Governors Forum, stated that the gathering reflected a collective resolve to reposition the party for future success.
"We are here today as a united front to move this party forward. I therefore enjoin all who are present to cooperate with us so that we can safeguard the future of this party," Governor Lawal emphasized.
The event saw the presence of several state governors including Seyi Makinde of Oyo, Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa, Bala Mohammed of Bauchi, Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau, and Dauda Lawal of Zamfara. The Deputy Governor of Osun State represented Governor Ademola Adeleke at the historic gathering.
Accreditation of more than 3,000 delegates began in the afternoon, following the arrival of thousands of party members in Ibadan since Friday. The eve of the convention featured a dinner hosted by Governor Makinde, attended by PDP governors, former governors, Board of Trustees Chairman Senator Adolphus Wabara, and members of the National Working Committee.
