Former National Vice Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Eddy Olafeso, has insisted that the party’s national convention scheduled for November 15 and 16 in Ibadan, Oyo State, will go on despite a Federal High Court order restraining it.
Olafeso made the declaration while speaking on Channels Television on Tuesday in reaction to the court ruling that barred the PDP and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from proceeding with or recognising the outcome of the planned convention.
Describing the injunction as “the climax of judicial rascality,” Olafeso accused some unnamed individuals of plotting to destabilise the PDP ahead of the 2027 polls.
“The restricted convention of the 15th and 16th of the Peoples Democratic Party in Ibadan today did not come as a shock to us. There is a group focused on ensuring they destroy the party, but good will prevail over evil,” he said.
Olafeso condemned the timing of the court’s decision, calling it an “attack on constitutional democracy.”
“It is shocking that such a ruling could come just four or five days to the programme. This is another attack on constitutional democracy that all of us — lawyers, judiciary, and civil society — must save this country from,” he said.
Despite the setback, the PDP chieftain reaffirmed the party’s commitment to holding its convention in Ibadan, Oyo State, as planned, describing the current challenges as “the pain of childbirth.”
“No matter what they throw at us, we will use it as energy to move forward to the 15th and 16th. The convention at Ibadan will hold. We are confident in ourselves and can no longer be cowed,” Olafeso stated.
He argued that a superior court had already ruled on the issue of party administration and the conduct of conventions, stressing that the Supreme Court had provided clear guidance, particularly in relation to past judgments involving the Plateau election.
“The Supreme Court is very clear about this, especially in the Plateau case. Anything contrary to that is not justified under the law,” he added.
Olafeso further accused those seeking to stop the convention of violating the PDP constitution, citing Sections 57 and 59.
“They are afraid of the convention in Ibadan because they know for sure they have contravened Sections 57 and 59 of the party constitution, and they will be brought to book,” he said.
LEADERSHIP recalls that the Federal High Court in Abuja had on Tuesday restrained the PDP from holding its convention in Ibadan, pending the determination of a substantive suit filed by former governor Sule Lamido and others challenging the party’s leadership process.
