Laja Adeoye, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos State, has appealed to aggrieved party leaders to withdraw their court cases and settle disputes internally.
Mr Adeoye told journalists on Sunday in Lagos that genuine party members should embrace peace and unity ahead of the party’s planned national convention.
Justice James Omotosho of the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court recently restrained the PDP from holding its planned national convention scheduled for November 15 and 16 in Ibadan, Oyo State.
The court held that the PDP failed to comply with its constitution and the Electoral Act, particularly by not conducting valid congresses in some states and by not giving INEC the mandatory 21-day notice.
Mr Adeoye advised the concerned members who took the party to court to explore the alternative dispute resolution mechanism provided in the PDP constitution.
According to him, internal issues should be resolved through dialogue and established party channels, rather than prolonged court battles.
“The PDP has its own constitutional process for conflict resolution, and every loyal member should respect that,” Mr Adeoye said.
He added that the PDP would not violate any lawful court order.
Mr Adeoye noted that the Supreme Court had already settled the matter of internal disputes within the PDP.
He said the court affirmed the party’s constitutional power to determine its internal affairs without external interference.
“The recent court pronouncement cannot vitiate the already planned national convention,” he said.
Mr Adeoye said he strongly believed the convention would hold as planned and that new national party leadership was expected to emerge .
He stated that the party’s leadership was working tirelessly to resolve the pending issues before the convention.
Mr Adeoye urged members to prioritise the unity and progress of the PDP above personal ambitions.
The party chieftain said the PDP had suspended some officers accused of undermining its progress. He advised the affected officers to appear before the disciplinary committee to clear their names.
According to him, such actions would help restore confidence, discipline, and inclusiveness within the party.
He expressed optimism that the convention would reposition the PDP for greater unity and electoral success.
(NAN)