An Oyo State High Court sitting in Ibadan has affirmed the validity of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) national convention held in November 2025, which produced Kabiru Tanimu Turaki as the party’s substantive national chairman.
Delivering judgment on Friday, Justice Ladiran Akintola upheld the amended originating summons filed by Musibau Adetunmbi (SAN) on behalf of the claimant, Folahan Malomo Adelabi.
The court granted all 13 reliefs sought, ruling that the convention complied with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution, the Electoral Act 2022 (as amended), and other relevant electoral laws.
Justice Akintola also dismissed motions seeking a stay of proceedings and suspension of the judgment filed by Sunday Ibrahim (SAN) on behalf of Austin Nwachukwu and two others. The court had earlier rejected their application for joinder, describing it as lacking merit.
In its ruling, the court directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognise and give full effect to the decisions reached at the convention, including the leadership of the National Working Committee led by Turaki.
The judgment marks the latest chapter in an ongoing legal battle over the PDP’s leadership following the November 15, 2025 elective convention in Ibadan.
Earlier, on January 30, 2026, the Federal High Court in Ibadan, presided over by Justice Uche Agomoh, nullified the same convention, holding that it was conducted in violation of subsisting court orders. That decision barred Turaki and other elected officers from presenting themselves as national officials of the party.
The conflicting judgments have intensified uncertainty within the opposition party’s leadership structure.
Despite the fresh validation by the Oyo State High Court, the PDP remains split between the Turaki-led faction and another bloc reportedly aligned with Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, which has described the ruling as inconsequential.
Several appeals arising from the dispute are currently before the Court of Appeal in Abuja, which has reserved judgment, leaving the final legal determination on the party’s leadership unresolved.
What You Should Know
The Oyo State High Court has upheld the validity of the PDP’s November 2025 national convention in Ibadan and affirmed Kabiru Tanimu Turaki as national chairman.
The court ordered INEC to recognise the outcome of the convention. However, the ruling conflicts with an earlier Federal High Court decision that nullified the same convention, deepening internal divisions within the PDP.
The matter is now before the Court of Appeal in Abuja, where a final decision is pending.
