The internal crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) took a new turn on Friday as the Federal High Court sitting in Ibadan, Oyo State, declared the party’s factional national convention held on November 15, 2025, invalid.
In its ruling, the court nullified the convention and barred Kabiru Turaki and other individuals who emerged from the gathering from presenting themselves as national officers of the party. The decision is a major setback for the faction that organised the convention and has further deepened the leadership dispute within Nigeria’s main opposition party.
The judgment followed a suit challenging the legality of the national convention, which was organised despite ongoing disagreements among PDP leaders over the party’s national leadership and internal processes.
The PDP had gone ahead with its much-publicised two-day Elective National Convention in Ibadan, tagged #Ibadan2025, in spite of the unresolved disputes. The event took place at the Lekan Salami Stadium in Adamasingba area of the city and attracted thousands of delegates, party leaders, and supporters from across the country.
At the convention, party members aligned with the faction elected new national officers, with Kabiru Turaki emerging as a key figure in the leadership structure announced at the end of the exercise.
Organisers of the convention described it as part of a “rebirth movement” aimed at rebuilding the party ahead of future elections. However, critics within the party insisted that the process violated the PDP constitution and ignored court orders and internal agreements.
These disagreements eventually led to legal action, resulting in Friday’s court ruling.
In its decision, the Federal High Court ruled that the November 15 convention did not meet the legal and constitutional requirements of the party. The court therefore declared the exercise null and void.
It also issued an order restraining Kabiru Turaki and others elected at the convention from parading themselves as national officers of the PDP or carrying out duties associated with those positions.
The judgment is expected to have wide implications for the PDP as it continues to battle internal divisions ahead of upcoming political activities.
Shortly after the ruling, the PDP reacted through a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong. The statement, which was posted on the party’s official X (formerly Twitter) handle, played down the impact of the judgment.
Ememobong said the party was awaiting the final decision of the appellate courts, expressing confidence that the ruling would be overturned on appeal.
According to him, the judgment does not mark the end of the matter and should not cause panic among party members.
“Notwithstanding this judgment, the Kabiru Turaki–led Peoples Democratic Party, which emerged from the Ibadan Convention, remains legally intact and unshaken as we await the authoritative pronouncement of the appellate courts,” the statement read.
He urged party members and supporters to remain calm, focused, and committed to the party’s cause.
“We therefore urge our members to remain resolute and committed, as there is absolutely no cause for alarm. The rebirth movement remains firmly on course,” the statement added.
The PDP, which governed Nigeria from 1999 to 2015, has struggled with internal conflicts since losing power at the federal level. Leadership tussles, factional disputes, and court cases have frequently weakened the party and affected its performance in elections.
In recent months, disagreements over the party’s national leadership structure and the conduct of congresses and conventions have split the PDP into rival camps. Each faction claims legitimacy and control of the party’s affairs.
The Ibadan convention was organised by one of such factions, while other party leaders openly rejected it and sought legal intervention.
With the matter now expected to move to the Court of Appeal, political watchers say the final outcome will play a major role in determining the future direction of the PDP.
If the appellate court upholds the Federal High Court’s ruling, the faction that organised the Ibadan convention may lose all claims to the party’s national leadership. On the other hand, if the ruling is overturned, it could strengthen the position of the Turaki-led group.
Party members across the country are watching closely, as the decision will affect preparations for future elections, alliances, and internal reforms.
Some party elders have called for dialogue and reconciliation, urging all factions to put the interest of the party above personal ambition.
For now, uncertainty remains as the legal battle continues. Until a final decision is reached by the appellate courts, the leadership crisis within the PDP is likely to persist, keeping the party in the headlines for the wrong reasons.