Four governors of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have arrived in Ibadan, Oyo State, as the party pushes forward with its national convention despite a Federal High Court order suspending the exercise.
The South-West chairman of the party, Kamorudeen Ajisafe, on Friday, confirmed the development.
He confirmed the presence of the governors of Bauchi (Bala Mohammed), Zamfara (Dauda Lawal), Adamawa (Ahmadu Fintiri) and Oyo (Seyi Makinde) ahead of the convention.
The PDP has been engulfed in crises, with factions loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesome Wike, and the acting Chairman Umar Damagum, locked in a bitter confrontation over the convention scheduled for today and Sunday, November 16.
A former Jigawa State governor, Sule Lamido, went to the Federal High Court in Abuja after he was denied the PDP national chairmanship nomination form.
Delivering judgment on Friday, Justice Peter Lifu ordered the PDP to suspend the convention and restrained INEC from supervising any convention held without including Lamido as a contestant. However, the Oyo State High Court had earlier issued a conflicting order on November 3, permitting the PDP to hold the convention and directing INEC to monitor it.
Reacting to Friday’s ruling, Ajisafe said, “We’re not aware of any fresh court ruling. This is almost 6 o’clock, and none of the party’s leaders is aware of the ruling you’re talking about.
“The convention will hold. Nothing will stop it because we are obeying the Ibadan High Court ruling that directed us to proceed with the convention.”
Delegates from different states were seen in an elated mood as they danced to the rhythm of traditional drums.
Around past 8pm, the Chairman of Adamawa PDP, Hamza Madagali, came to the venue of the convention with his entourage, perhaps to assess the level of preparedness for the elective convention.
Delegates from Lagos, FCT, Bauchi, Akwa Ibom, Ebonyi, Delta had arrived at the venue, while delegates from other states were still trooping in as of the time of this report.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has, however, said, it will not be monitoring the convention.
The PUNCH
