The Supreme Court of Nigeria has nullified the national convention of the Peoples Democratic Party held in Ibadan, Oyo State, on November 15 and 16, 2025, bringing a decisive end to the legal dispute surrounding the emergence of a factional leadership within the party.
The convention had produced a factional national executive led by Tanimu Turaki, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, following a deeply contested and divisive process within the party. The exercise, however, was conducted despite existing court orders that restrained the party from going ahead with the gathering.
Prior to the convention, a Federal High Court had issued a ruling stopping the event, citing violations of the party constitution and failure to follow due process. The court also highlighted unresolved disputes from state congresses and allegations that some aspirants were excluded from participating in the process, which it said undermined the credibility of the exercise.
Despite the restraining order, the convention proceeded in Ibadan, prompting further legal challenges. The Court of Appeal later upheld the decision of the Federal High Court, ruling that the convention was conducted in violation of valid judicial directives and therefore lacked legal standing.
Dissatisfied with the concurrent rulings of the lower courts, the faction led by Tanimu Turaki approached the Supreme Court, seeking to validate the convention and restore recognition of the executives produced at the event.
In its final judgment, the Supreme Court upheld the decisions of the lower courts and voided the Ibadan convention in its entirety. The ruling effectively invalidates the leadership that emerged from the disputed gathering and reinforces earlier judicial pronouncements on the matter.
The decision is expected to have significant implications for the internal structure and unity of the Peoples Democratic Party as it continues to manage ongoing leadership tensions.
Leave a comment