The Oyo State High Court has reaffirmed its earlier order allowing the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to proceed with its national convention in Ibadan on November 15 and 16. Justice Ladiran Akintola delivered the ruling on Wednesday after hearing an application for joinder by new defendants in the case. The court had previously granted an ex parte motion filed by PDP member Folahan Adelabi, directing the party’s leadership to adhere to its guidelines and schedule for the convention. The respondents include the PDP, its acting National Chairman Umar Damagun, Governor Umar Fintiri of Adamawa, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
During Wednesday’s proceedings, counsel for the proposed new defendants, Emmanuel Ukala, informed the court of his application for joinder. The judge noted that the supporting affidavit was unsigned, rendering the application incompetent. Ukala blamed the court’s registry for the error, but the claimant’s counsel, Musibau Adetumbi, and INEC’s counsel, O. Adeyemi, opposed a stand‑down application to investigate the issue. The court ruled that the unsigned affidavit was a fundamental error that could not be cured and ordered Ukala to refile his processes.
Justice Akintola reiterated the earlier order permitting the PDP to hold its convention, stating that the court would decide later whether to vacate the order. The matter was adjourned until Friday for the hearing of pending applications. The ruling clears the way for the PDP’s national convention, a crucial event in the party’s preparations for future elections, and underscores the importance of adhering to procedural rules, as the unsigned affidavit was deemed a serious, unrectifiable error. The case will continue on Friday, and its outcome will be closely watched for its implications for the PDP and Nigeria’s electoral process.
Comments are closed for this story.