The crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) took a new turn on Friday as the Oyo State High Court in Ibadan affirmed the validity of the party’s National Convention held in November 2025.
The convention, which took place on November 15 and 16 in Ibadan, produced a new National Working Committee (NWC) led by former Minister of Special Duties, Tanimu Turaki (SAN), for a four-year term.
In a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, the Turaki-led NWC described the judgment as a victory for internal democracy and party unity.
Justice Ladiran Akintola of Court 5, Oyo State High Court, delivered the judgment after ruling on an application for joinder in the case.
The court approved all 13 reliefs sought by the claimant, Folahan Malomo Adelabi, who was represented by his lawyer, Musbau Adetunmbi (SAN).
According to the PDP statement, the court declared that the Ibadan National Convention was properly conducted and in line with the party’s constitution and the laws of Nigeria. The court also directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognise and give full effect to all decisions taken at the convention.
“The court granted all the reliefs sought by the claimant, declaring the National Convention held in Ibadan as properly conducted and directing INEC to recognise and give full effect to all decisions and outcomes reached at the said convention,” the statement said.
The party said the suit was filed to protect the claimant’s constitutional right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association. It also sought an order compelling the PDP to conduct its elections as earlier advertised and for INEC to honour the outcome.
The court had earlier granted orders on November 3 and November 14, 2025, which allowed the convention to proceed. Friday’s judgment, the PDP said, gives final backing to those earlier rulings.
Reacting to the judgment, the Turaki-led NWC praised the court for what it described as courage and commitment to justice.
“This judgment affirms and gives final effect to those earlier orders,” the statement read. “The party welcomes this judgment as a vindication of both fact and law.”
The PDP also expressed confidence in the Nigerian judiciary, calling it the last hope of the ordinary citizen.
“We reaffirm our faith in the Nigerian judiciary as an independent arbiter,” the statement added. The party said it remains committed to pursuing all lawful legal steps to ensure that justice is fully upheld, especially as appeals continue in other courts.
The PDP has been facing a deep leadership crisis since late 2025, with two major factions laying claim to the party’s national leadership.
Before the Ibadan convention, PDP governors had endorsed the gathering, which led to the election of Turaki and other NWC members. The convention also marked the transition from former Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, whose tenure was due to end on December 9.
However, a faction loyal to former Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, rejected the convention.
On December 8, the Wike-aligned group formed a 13-member caretaker committee. The committee appointed Mohammed Abdulrahman as Acting National Chairman and Samuel Anyanwu as Acting Secretary, with a 60-day mandate to manage party affairs and organise a fresh convention.
The situation worsened on November 18, 2025, when both factions attempted to meet at the PDP National Secretariat at Wadata Plaza in Abuja. The meeting ended in chaos, with reports of physical confrontations between supporters of both sides. Following the incident, the police sealed the secretariat, and it has remained closed for some time.
The leadership dispute soon moved to the courts. On January 30, 2026, a Federal High Court in Ibadan annulled the November 15 convention and directed Turaki and others to stop presenting themselves as national officers of the PDP.
That judgment strengthened the position of the Wike-backed faction, which argued that the Ibadan convention was not properly conducted.
However, Friday’s ruling by the Oyo State High Court has now affirmed the same convention, creating further legal and political debate.
Both factions have approached INEC, seeking recognition as the legitimate leadership of the party. So far, the electoral body has refused to officially recognise either side, pending the final outcome of the court cases.
Amid the dispute, the Wike-backed caretaker committee announced on February 3 that it would hold a fresh National Convention in Abuja from March 29 to 30 to elect new leaders.
Meanwhile, on February 12, the Court of Appeal heard consolidated cases related to the PDP leadership crisis and reserved judgment. The date for the ruling is yet to be announced.
The PDP crisis comes at a critical time as Nigeria moves closer to the 2027 general elections. As the main opposition party to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), the PDP is expected to present strong candidates at national and state levels.
The Turaki-led NWC insists that the Ibadan convention was transparent and lawful. It says the latest court ruling has strengthened its position and will guide future actions.
However, the Wike-aligned faction maintains that only a fresh convention can bring lasting peace to the party.
For many PDP members and supporters, the hope is that the courts will provide clear direction that will restore stability and unity.
