PDP: Supreme Court withholds verdict on disputed Ibadan convention

 

By Efa Sunday

The Supreme Court on Wednesday reserved judgment in the appeal filed by the Kabiru Tanimu Turaki-led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), leaving the fate of the party’s disputed national convention held in Ibadan last year hanging in the balance.

A five-member panel of justices led by Justice Lawal Garba fixed no date for the verdict after counsel to all parties adopted their final written addresses for and against the appeal. The court said parties would be duly notified when judgment is ready.

The appeal challenges an earlier ruling of the Court of Appeal which nullified the PDP national convention held on November 15 and 16, 2025, in Ibadan. The Turaki-led faction is asking the apex court to overturn that decision, arguing that the issues in dispute are internal party matters and not subject to judicial interference. The faction further maintained that due process was followed in organising the convention.

Opposing parties, however, urged the court to uphold the decisions of the lower courts, insisting that the convention violated statutory provisions, the PDP constitution and guidelines set by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The Court of Appeal had affirmed two separate judgments of the Federal High Court which initially restrained the PDP from conducting the convention and later nullified its outcome. It also barred INEC from recognising any officials or resolutions produced from the exercise.

Central to the dispute is an earlier ruling by Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja, who held that the PDP failed to conduct valid state congresses before proceeding with its national convention. The court ruled that this omission breached provisions of the 1999 Constitution, INEC guidelines and the party’s constitution.

The judgment followed a suit filed by aggrieved party members, including the PDP chairmen in Imo and Abia states, Austin Nwachukwu and Hon. Amah Abraham Nnanna, as well as the party’s South South Secretary, Turnah Alabh George.

In a related case, Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court restrained the PDP from going ahead with the convention until former Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido, was allowed to participate in the party’s chairmanship race. Lamido had approached the court alleging exclusion from the process after being denied access to nomination forms.

The court held that his exclusion breached internal party rules and principles of fair participation, and subsequently issued a final order halting the convention.

The appeal before the Supreme Court consolidates multiple legal disputes that have deepened divisions within the PDP and led to parallel claims to its national leadership. The crisis has also triggered tensions over control of the party’s national secretariat.

While the Turaki-led faction insists the courts have overstepped by interfering in party affairs, rival groups argue that judicial intervention became necessary due to alleged violations of due process.

The PDP had earlier approached the apex court, describing the situation as a growing leadership legitimacy crisis and urging a final resolution. It also accused opposing factions of undermining court orders by proceeding with parallel conventions despite pending suits.

With the Supreme Court’s decision now pending, political observers say the eventual ruling could have far-reaching implications for the party’s internal stability and its readiness for upcoming electoral contests.