The Acting National Chairman of the People’s
Democratic Party (PDP), Umar Damagum, has hailed the ruling of the Oyo State
High Court that affirmed the party’s right to hold its 2025 Elective National
Convention, describing it as a “courageous judgment” that upholds internal
democracy.
Speaking on Wednesday at a meeting of the PDP Board of
Trustees (BoT) in Abuja, Damagum said the verdict delivered by Justice A. L.
Akintola validated the party’s compliance with all legal procedures and
reaffirmed its constitutional autonomy.
“This judgment is not just a victory for our party,
but for democracy itself,” he said, commending the judiciary for its
independence despite what he called “an era of judicial intimidation.”
He noted that his leadership prioritized unity and
reconciliation following divisions within the party after the 2023 general
elections, stressing: “Every decision I took was for the sake of the Party, not
individuals or factions.”
Damagum also urged the incoming National Working
Committee (NWC) to demonstrate integrity and vision in rebuilding the party and
restoring public confidence.
In his remarks, BoT Chairman Adolphus Wabara appealed
to aggrieved members to embrace peace and reconciliation, pledging that the
board would remain neutral and focused on mediating differences.
Other party stalwarts at the meeting included BoT
Secretary Ahmed Makarafi, Jerry Gana, Senator Ben Obi, Josephine Anenih, and
Zainab Maina.
The Oyo State High Court ruling, delivered on Tuesday,
granted the PDP permission to proceed with its convention scheduled for
November 15–16, 2025, in Ibadan. The court also ordered the Independent
National Electoral Commission (INEC) to attend and monitor the exercise pending
further hearings.
The decision followed an ex parte motion filed by
Folahan Adelabi seeking to prevent any disruption to the convention process.
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