FEDERAL HIGH COURT NULLIFIES PDP IBADAN CONVENTION, RECOGNISES CARETAKER COMMITTEE

Ibadan, Oyo State — A Federal High Court sitting in Ibadan on Friday nullified the factional national convention of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) held in Ibadan on November 15–16, 2025, declaring the exercise illegal and unconstitutional.

In the judgment delivered by Justice Uche Agomoh, the court held that the convention was conducted in violation of subsisting court orders and the constitution of the party, thereby rendering it invalid.

The court consequently barred Kabiru Turaki and other officials elected at the convention from parading themselves as national officers of the PDP.

Justice Agomoh further set aside all resolutions and decisions taken at the Ibadan convention, stressing that any action arising from an unlawful process cannot stand in law.

In a major pronouncement, the court recognised the Mohammed Abdulrahman–led Caretaker Committee, with Senator Samuel Anyanwu as National Secretary, as the only legitimate leadership of the PDP pending the conduct of a lawful national convention in line with the party’s constitution and applicable laws.

The court also faulted the decision of the organisers of the Ibadan convention to proceed with the exercise despite subsisting court judgments, describing the action as a blatant disregard for the rule of law.

The suit was instituted by aggrieved stakeholders of the party who had argued that critical issues, including unresolved disputes over delegate lists and state congresses, were ignored before the convention was convened.

Reacting to the judgment, the Turaki-led faction rejected the ruling and announced plans to appeal the decision, insisting that its leadership remains legally intact pending the determination of the matter by appellate courts.

Political analysts say the judgment has further deepened the leadership crisis within the PDP while strengthening the position of the caretaker committee faction, with far-reaching implications for the party’s unity, internal democracy, and preparations for future political contests.