PDP Leadership Dispute : Appeal Court Nullifies Ibadan Convention

The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja has affirmed the judgment of the Federal High Court, Abuja, which nullified the Peoples Democratic Party’s, PDP national convention held on November 15 and 16 in Ibadan, Oyo State, that produced Tanimu Turaki as the National Chairman of the party.

Delivering judgment, a three-member panel of the appellate court, led by Justice Mohammed Danjuma, upheld the decision of the trial court presided over by Justice James Omotosho, which had earlier restrained the conduct of the convention.

The appellate court agreed with the lower court that the party failed to conduct the requisite congresses preceding the convention in line with its constitutional provisions.

The panel also dismissed the argument by the Tanimu Turaki faction that the matter was purely an internal affair of the party and therefore not subject to judicial intervention.

In its earlier ruling on preliminary objections, the appellate court held that the Federal High Court had the requisite jurisdiction to entertain the suit challenging the legality of the Ibadan convention.

Justice Danjuma, who delivered the lead judgment, ruled that issues relating to compliance with party constitutions and procedures are justiciable when they affect the rights of party members.

The court also dismissed the preliminary objection raised by respondents which aligned with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, who had argued that Chris Uche was not properly authorised to represent the Peoples Democratic Party in the matter.

The appellate court held that the objection lacked merit, noting that the former National Legal Adviser of the party, Kamaldeen Ajibade, had earlier been suspended by the National Working Committee of the PDP.

Justice Omotosho had on October 31, 2025 issued the order restraining INEC from recognizing the outcome of the Ibadan convention until all provisions of the laws are complied with.

The Judge predicated the decisions on the grounds that the PDP failed to comply with relevant conditions and laws for the conduct of such conventions.

The Judge held that the evidence provided by the aggrieved PDP members showed that congresses were not held in some states of the federation in accordance with the law.

Garry Ochigbo, Edited By Grace Namiji