The governors-backed National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party, led by Tanimu Turaki (SAN), has applauded the Oyo State High Court for affirming the legitimacy of the party’s National Convention held in Ibadan in November 2025.
In a statement issued on Friday by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, the Turaki-led NWC described the judgment as a victory for internal democracy and party cohesion.
Delivering the ruling at the Oyo State High Court sitting in Ibadan, Justice Ladiran Akintola of Court 5 upheld the validity of the PDP National Convention conducted on 15 and 16 November 2025. The convention had produced Turaki as Chairman and other members of the National Working Committee.
The court granted all 13 reliefs sought by the claimant, Folahan Malomo Adelabi, who was represented by his counsel, Musbau Adetunmbi (SAN). The judgment declared the convention properly conducted and directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognise and give full effect to its outcomes.
According to the PDP statement, the suit was filed to protect Adelabi’s constitutional right to peaceful assembly and association, and to compel the party to conduct its elections as publicly advertised. The court had earlier issued orders on 3 and 14 November 2025, which provided the legal basis for the convention to proceed.
“The judgment affirms and gives final effect to those earlier orders,” the statement read. “It reaffirms the obvious fact that the Ibadan convention was conducted properly, transparently, and in full compliance with the party’s constitution and the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
However, the ruling adds another layer to the ongoing leadership tussle within the PDP. On 30 January, a Federal High Court in Ibadan annulled the same convention and barred Turaki and others from parading themselves as national officers.
Prior to that decision, PDP governors had endorsed the Ibadan convention and overseen the transition from former acting chairman Umar Damagum to Turaki before Damagum’s tenure ended in December.
Meanwhile, a rival faction loyal to Nyesom Wike established a 13-member caretaker committee, naming Mohammed Abdulrahman as Acting National Chairman and Samuel Anyanwu as Acting Secretary, with a 60-day mandate.
Attempts by both camps to assert control of the party secretariat at Wadata Plaza descended into chaos, prompting police to seal the premises. Both factions subsequently sought recognition from INEC, which declined to acknowledge either side pending judicial resolution.
Further intensifying the crisis, the Wike-backed caretaker committee announced plans for a fresh National Convention in Abuja from 29 to 30 March. Meanwhile, the Court of Appeal has heard consolidated cases on the dispute and reserved judgment, with a ruling date yet to be communicated.
As the 2027 general elections approach, the protracted legal battle threatens to deepen divisions within one of Nigeria’s major opposition parties.
