More troubles for PDP as court voids Ibadan national convention, orders caretaker committee to run affairs
A Federal High Court sitting in Ibadan, Oyo State, has nullified the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Convention held in Ibadan between November 15 and 16, 2025.
Recall that the Kabiru Turaki faction of the PDP had filed suit no: FHC/IB/CS/121/2025, seeking recognition of the convention and validation of the National Working Committee (NWC) that emerged at the convention
In a judgment on Friday by Justice Uche Agomoh, the court also barred Turaki and other officials purportedly elected at the convention from parading themselves as national officers of the party forthwith.
The court held that the Convention was conducted in flagrant disobedience to two subsisting judgments of the same court, adding that returning to seek judicial approval for actions taken in defiance of court orders was an exercise in futility.
Consequently, all decisions taken at the convention were set aside by the court.
The judge further declared that the PDP can only operate through the caretaker committee until a proper and lawful national convention is held.
The judgment follows a protracted crisis within the PDP, which held a contentious national elective convention in Ibadan in November 2025 despite existing court orders.
Earlier, a Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice Peter Lifu, had ordered the suspension of the PDP convention in a suit filed by former Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido.
Lamido had challenged the process, alleging that he was denied the opportunity to purchase a nomination form to contest for the party’s chairmanship, in violation of the PDP constitution and guidelines.
Meanwhile, the Turaki-led faction of the party has announced plans to appeal the judgment.
The faction argued that the court in Ibadan refused to grant it an order of mandamus.
The court held that granting the mandamus would amount to “sitting on appeal” over judgments of courts of coordinate jurisdiction, a decision that the party described as “not unexpected.”
In a statement posted by PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, on X account on Friday, the Turaki-led PDP faction confirmed that it has instructed its legal team to immediately file an appeal and pursue all necessary legal steps to protects its position in the matter.
Despite the setback, the party emphasised that the Kabiru Turaki-led faction, which emerged from the Ibadan Convention, remains legally intact and unshaken.
The statement urged members to remain calm and resolute, insisting there is “absolutely no cause for alarm.” The party also reiterated that the rebirth movement remains firmly on course.
“Notwithstanding this judgment, the Kabiru Turaki–led Peoples Democratic Party, which emerged from the Ibadan Convention, remains legally intact and unshaken, as we await the authoritative pronouncement of the appellate courts.”
