The Forum of PDP State Chairmen has reaffirmed its loyalty to the embattled National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Damagum, rejecting the faction led by Acting National Chairman Abdulrahaman Mohammed as an “interloper.”

In a communique signed by Forum Chairman Tony Aziegbemi and Secretary Edward Masha, the state chairmen urged delegates to prepare for the National Convention scheduled for November 15–16 in Ibadan, Oyo State, despite ongoing legal disputes over its conduct.

The convention has been contested in court, with Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, ruling it should not hold, while an Ibadan High Court, presided over by Justice Ladiran Akintola, issued an ex parte order allowing preparations to proceed.

The Forum praised the Ibadan court judgment, reaffirmed its commitment to the unity and progress of the party, and pledged to work with the National Working Committee (NWC) and party organs to strengthen internal democracy.

Meanwhile, the Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice Peter Lifu, reserved ruling until Tuesday, November 11, on a motion filed by former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido. Lamido is seeking to prevent the PDP from holding the convention and claims he was denied a nomination form for the chairmanship contest.

Lamido’s suit lists the PDP and INEC as defendants, with additional PDP officers – including Imo State PDP Chairman Austine Nwachukwu, Abia PDP Chairman Amah Abraham Nnanna, and Southsouth PDP Secretary Turnah George – joined as parties.

The PDP, through SAN Omokayode Dada, argued that Lamido missed the nomination form window, which ran from September 3 to 30, and maintained that all actions complied with the party constitution. INEC also stated that courts should not interfere in internal party matters, which remain the exclusive domain of political parties.

Lamido’s counsel, Jeph Njikonye (SAN), countered that the court has the power to intervene and ensure that INEC acts impartially as the electoral umpire.