- The judgment followed proceedings on an application for joinder in the suit
- the suit was initiated to safeguard the claimant’s constitutional rights to freedom of association and peaceful assembly
- Both factions subsequently sought recognition from INEC, which declined to acknowledge either side
The National Working Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party backed by PDP governors and led by Tanimu Turaki (SAN) has applauded the Oyo State High Court for upholding the validity of the party’s National Convention held in Ibadan in November 2025.
In a statement issued on Friday by its National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, the Turaki-led leadership described the ruling as a victory for party unity and internal democratic processes, Eko Hot Blog gathered.
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Justice Ladiran Akintola of the Oyo State High Court in Ibadan affirmed the legitimacy of the convention conducted on November 15 and 16, 2025, during which Turaki was elected to head the National Working Committee. The judgment followed proceedings on an application for joinder in the suit.
The court granted all 13 reliefs sought by the claimant, Folahan Malomo Adelabi, who was represented by his counsel, Musbau Adetunmbi (SAN). Among other orders, the court directed the Independent National Electoral Commission to recognise and implement the resolutions and outcomes of the convention, having found the exercise lawful and properly conducted.
According to the statement, the suit was initiated to safeguard the claimant’s constitutional rights to freedom of association and peaceful assembly. It sought orders compelling the party to conduct its convention as earlier announced and directing INEC to acknowledge the results.
The party noted that the court had previously issued interim orders on November 3 and renewed them on November 14, 2025, which paved the way for the convention to proceed as scheduled. Friday’s judgment, it said, reinforces and finalises those earlier decisions.
Welcoming the outcome, the Turaki-led NWC said the verdict confirmed that the Ibadan convention complied with the PDP constitution and the laws of the country.
The leadership also expressed confidence in the judiciary and pledged to continue pursuing all lawful steps to ensure justice prevails, including at the appellate level if necessary.
The ruling comes amid a prolonged leadership tussle within the party. On January 30, a Federal High Court in Ibadan nullified the same convention and barred Turaki and others from parading themselves as national officers.
Before that decision, PDP governors had endorsed the Ibadan gathering, which produced Turaki and other members of the NWC for a four-year tenure and facilitated the transition from former acting chairman Umar Damagum.
However, a rival faction aligned with former Rivers State governor Nyesom Wike established a 13-member caretaker committee on December 8, naming Mohammed Abdulrahman as Acting National Chairman and Samuel Anyanwu as Acting Secretary, with a 60-day mandate.
Attempts by both camps to access the party’s national secretariat at Wadata Plaza in Abuja in November 2025 led to clashes, prompting the police to shut the premises.
Both factions subsequently sought recognition from INEC, which declined to acknowledge either side, deepening the crisis as preparations for the 2027 general elections gathered pace.
The Wike-backed caretaker committee later announced plans to hold a fresh national convention in Abuja from March 29 to 30. Meanwhile, the Court of Appeal on February 12 heard consolidated appeals relating to the leadership dispute and reserved judgment, with a date for the decision yet to be announced.
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