The Federal High Court sitting in Ibadan, Oyo State, on Friday invalidated the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Convention held on November 15, 2025, declaring the exercise unlawful.
In its ruling, the court also restrained Kabiru Turaki and other individuals who emerged from the convention from parading themselves as national officers of the party, a development seen as a setback for the faction produced by the gathering.
The PDP had proceeded with the two-day elective national convention despite lingering internal disputes. The event, tagged #Ibadan2025, was held at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Adamasingba, and drew a large turnout of delegates, party leaders and supporters from across the country.
The court’s judgment is the latest in a series of legal battles arising from leadership disagreements within the opposition party, which have resulted in the emergence of rival factions laying claim to the party’s national structure.
Reacting to the ruling, the PDP, through a statement posted on its official X (formerly Twitter) handle by its National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, said the party would seek redress at the appellate courts.
According to the statement, the party remains confident that higher courts will overturn the decision and affirm the legitimacy of the convention and its outcome.
“Notwithstanding this judgment, the Kabiru Turaki-led Peoples Democratic Party that emerged from the Ibadan Convention remains legally intact and unshaken as we await the authoritative pronouncement of the appellate courts,” the statement read.
The party also urged its members to remain calm and steadfast, insisting that there was “absolutely no cause for alarm,” while maintaining that its rebirth movement was still on track.
As the matter heads to the appellate courts, political observers say the final outcome could have significant implications for the PDP’s internal cohesion and future political engagements.
