The legal battle over the forthcoming national convention of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, resumes Wednesday as the presiding judge, Justice Ladiran Akintola adjourned the matter.
The adjournment came after a brief session in which Justice Akintola instructed counsels representing both the claimant and the defendants to complete and regularize all pending filings to ensure a seamless commencement of the substantive hearing when the matter resumes midweek.
The case, filed by Folahan Malomo Adelabi, challenges certain actions and decisions of the PDP leadership relating to the party’s forthcoming National Convention, which has been a focal point of political interest across the country.
Adelabi is seeking a restraining order against the party’s Acting National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Iliya Damagum, and Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri of Adamawa State, who chairs the National Convention Organising Committee, as well as the Independent National Electoral Commission.
He argues that unless restrained, the defendants might take steps that could truncate or frustrate the conduct of the convention or violate the party’s established guidelines.
Last week, Justice Akintola, in a ruling on an ex-parte motion, directed the PDP to proceed with its scheduled convention but emphasized that the party must strictly adhere to its internal timetable, procedures, and constitutional provisions. The court also fixed Monday, November 10, for the hearing of the motion on notice, which has now been shifted to Wednesday.
During Monday’s proceedings, both parties appeared before the court, with their legal representatives making preliminary submissions. Justice Akintola, after listening to their arguments, ordered them to file and exchange all necessary processes without delay, adding that the court would consider all applications together at the next sitting to save judicial time.
However, the day’s session was not without tension. Security was visibly heightened around the court premises, with officers restricting movement in and out of the building. Only litigants and accredited legal representatives were allowed entry, while journalists were denied access to cover the proceedings.
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Several reporters who arrived early in the morning were stopped at the main gate by security personnel who insisted they were acting on “orders from above.” This development sparked quiet frustration among media representatives, who accused the court authorities of undermining press freedom and transparency in judicial proceedings of public interest.
Observers say the case underscores the increasing tension within the PDP as it prepares for its national convention an event expected to shape the party’s future direction ahead of the next general elections.
Party insiders have described the convention as a “make-or-break” moment, particularly in light of internal divisions and regional leadership tussles that have persisted since the last general election.
As of Monday evening, neither the PDP leadership nor INEC had issued an official statement on the adjournment. However, a source within the party hinted that the leadership remains confident that the court’s final decision would not derail preparations for the convention.
Meanwhile, political analysts say the outcome of the case could set a major precedent for internal party democracy in Nigeria, testing both the autonomy of political parties and the oversight powers of the judiciary in regulating party activities.
The case is now set to resume on Wednesday, November 12, when Justice Akintola is expected to hear all pending motions and potentially set a clear direction for the substantive hearing.
