PDP convention ruling sparks fresh crisis as Wike-backed faction rejects Oyo High Court judgment validating Ibadan national convention

The faction of the Peoples Democratic Party backed by Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, on Friday rejected the Oyo State High Court judgment affirming the party’s 2025 National Convention held in Ibadan, intensifying the leadership crisis within Nigeria’s main opposition party.

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The ruling, which validated the November 15 and 16, 2025 convention that produced Tanimu Turaki as substantive National Chairman, has triggered sharply contrasting reactions from rival party blocs following the latest PDP convention ruling.

Justice Ladiran Akintola of the Oyo State High Court, delivering judgment in Suit No I/1336/2025, upheld the legality of the convention and granted all 13 reliefs sought by the claimant, Folahan Malomo Adelabi, represented by Musibau Adetunmbi, SAN.

The court ruled that the convention complied fully with provisions of the 1999 Constitution, the Electoral Act 2022 and the PDP constitution, finding no breach of statutory requirements or due process.

Justice Akintola further dismissed applications seeking a stay of proceedings and suspension of the judgment filed by Austin Nwachukwu and others, describing earlier attempts at joinder as lacking merit.

In its decision, the court held that necessary statutory notices were duly issued and that the convention satisfied constitutional provisions governing political party administration and freedom of association.

The judgment also directed the Independent National Electoral Commission to continue recognising decisions arising from the convention pending any contrary ruling by a higher court.

However, the Wike-aligned National Caretaker Working Committee swiftly dismissed the verdict, describing it as inconsequential and incapable of resolving the dispute.

In a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Jungudo Mohammed, the faction argued that the judgment lacked binding effect because the electoral commission was allegedly not joined as a party in the suit.

According to the committee, earlier Federal High Court judgments restraining INEC from recognising or monitoring the convention remain operative, rendering the latest ruling ineffective in practical terms.

The faction maintained that preparations for a fresh national convention were already at an advanced stage, signalling that internal reconciliation remains distant.

Conversely, the Turaki-led National Working Committee welcomed the judgment, describing it as a decisive victory for internal democracy and party stability.

In a statement signed by National Publicity Secretary Ini Ememobong, the leadership said the ruling reaffirmed that the Ibadan convention was conducted transparently and in compliance with applicable laws.

The latest development adds another layer to the protracted PDP leadership struggle that has resulted in parallel structures, legal battles and police intervention at the party’s national secretariat.

Earlier judicial pronouncements had produced conflicting outcomes, including a January 30 Federal High Court ruling in Ibadan that annulled the same convention and restrained Turaki and other officials from parading themselves as national officers.

Both rival factions subsequently sought recognition from INEC, which declined to endorse either leadership pending judicial clarity, deepening uncertainty ahead of the 2027 general elections.

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The Court of Appeal, which heard consolidated suits relating to the dispute on February 12, has reserved judgment, with a decision expected to shape the future leadership structure of the opposition party.