A Federal High Court in Ibadan, Oyo State, has declared the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) national convention held in the city between November 15 and 16, 2025, illegal, nullifying all actions taken at the gathering and further complicating the party’s leadership crisis.
Delivering judgment on Friday, Justice Uche Agomoh ruled that the convention was held in clear violation of subsisting court orders, describing the exercise as a deliberate act of disobedience. The court consequently restrained Kabiru Turaki and other officials purportedly elected at the convention from presenting themselves as national officers of the party.
The case, filed under Suit No. FHC/IB/CS/121/2025, was instituted by the Turaki-led faction of the PDP, which had approached the court seeking recognition of the Ibadan convention and validation of the National Working Committee (NWC) that emerged from it.
Justice Agomoh held that the court could not legitimise actions taken in contempt of existing judicial decisions, adding that seeking post-facto approval for such actions was legally untenable. All resolutions reached at the convention were accordingly set aside.
The court further declared that the PDP can only be administered by its caretaker committee until a fresh national convention is lawfully convened in compliance with the party’s constitution and valid court orders.
The judgment follows months of internal wrangling within the opposition party, which went ahead with the Ibadan convention despite pending legal challenges.
Prior to the convention, a Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice Peter Lifu, had ordered the suspension of the exercise following a suit filed by former Jigawa State governor, Sule Lamido.
Lamido had accused the party of breaching its constitution by denying him the opportunity to purchase a nomination form to contest for the position of national chairman.
Meanwhile, the Turaki-led faction has announced its intention to appeal the Ibadan court’s decision.
In refusing an application for an order of mandamus, the court held that granting such relief would amount to reviewing or overturning the decisions of courts of coordinate jurisdiction.
Reacting to the judgment, the faction said the outcome was anticipated.
In a statement issued on Friday by the PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, and posted on X, the faction disclosed that it had instructed its legal team to immediately file an appeal and pursue all available legal remedies.
Despite the ruling, the faction maintained that it remains intact and legally grounded.
“We urge our members to remain calm and resolute. There is absolutely no cause for alarm. The rebirth movement remains firmly on course as we await the authoritative pronouncement of the appellate courts,” the statement said.
Leave a Reply