The Governor of Osun State, Ademola Adeleke, and the Taraba State Governor, Agbu Kefas, were noticeably absent on Saturday as the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) national convention commenced in Ibadan, Oyo State, amid legal confusion and a deepening internal crisis.
Sources reports that the party, gripped by factional disputes and facing two conflicting court orders, pushed ahead with the event despite mounting concerns from some stakeholders.
The faction loyal to Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, insisted that the convention must proceed, banking on a ruling from the Oyo State High Court which authorised the exercise to go on.
This is in sharp contrast to the Federal High Court in Abuja, which, a day earlier, restrained the party and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from conducting or recognising any convention that excludes former Jigawa State governor, Sule Lamido.
As proceedings kicked off at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Daily Trust reported the presence of several PDP governors, including:
Ahmadu Fintiri (Adamawa)
Caleb Mutfwang (Plateau)
Bala Mohammed (Bauchi)
Dauda Lawal (Zamfara)
Host governor, Seyi Makinde (Oyo)
Their attendance underscored the Damagum faction’s determination to legitimise the convention.
However, the non-appearance of Adeleke, and Kefas, sparked fresh speculation about widening cracks within the opposition party.
