Nigeria’s Supreme Court has nullified the national convention held by a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ibadan, Oyo State, dealing a major blow to the group led by Mr Tanimu Turaki, SAN, and deepening the internal crisis within the opposition party.
The apex court delivered its judgment on Thursday, declaring that the convention held on November 15 and 16, 2025, was invalid and its outcomes could not stand. The decision is expected to have far-reaching effects on the party’s structure and preparations ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The convention in question had produced a parallel set of national executives loyal to Mr Turaki, creating divisions within the party and raising concerns among members and political observers.
Reading the lead judgment, Justice Stephen Jona Adah ruled that the faction that organised the convention acted in clear disobedience to a valid court order. He described such action as unacceptable, stressing that respect for the rule of law must be upheld at all times in a democratic system.
According to the court, allowing the outcome of the convention to stand would send a wrong signal and weaken the authority of the judiciary. The judgment therefore set aside the convention and all decisions taken during the gathering.
However, the ruling was not unanimous. In a minority judgment, Justices Haruna Tsanami and Abubakar Sadiq Umar disagreed with the majority decision. They argued that the matter was an internal affair of a political party and should not have been decided by the courts. Their position reflects a long-standing debate in Nigeria about how far courts should go in resolving disputes within political parties.
The crisis that led to the court case began when a former governor of Jigawa State, Sule Lamido, challenged the conduct of the convention. He approached the court to stop the exercise, claiming that he was denied nomination forms to participate, which he said violated the party’s constitution and his rights as a member.
A Federal High Court had earlier granted an order stopping the convention, citing breaches of due process and failure to follow the party’s rules. Despite this order, the faction went ahead with the event in Ibadan, a move that triggered further legal battles.
The Court of Appeal later upheld the decision of the lower court, agreeing that the convention was conducted in violation of a valid court order and could not be recognised. The appellate court also highlighted the importance of obeying judicial rulings, especially in political matters that could affect public confidence in democratic institutions.
Not satisfied with the decisions of the lower courts, the Turaki-led faction took the case to the Supreme Court, seeking to overturn the earlier rulings and validate both the convention and the executives it produced.
With Thursday’s judgment, the Supreme Court has now put the matter to rest, at least legally, by affirming that the convention was invalid from the start.
The ruling has added another layer to the ongoing leadership crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party, one of Nigeria’s major political parties. In recent years, the party has struggled with internal disagreements, leadership disputes, and factional divisions, which have weakened its position as the main opposition.
The crisis also highlights broader issues in Nigeria’s political system, where internal party disputes often end up in court. While some argue that judicial intervention helps to ensure fairness and accountability, others believe that political parties should resolve their issues internally to avoid prolonged legal battles.
For now, attention is expected to shift to how the party’s leadership will respond to the judgment and whether efforts will be made to reconcile aggrieved members and rebuild unity.
As the political landscape begins to take shape ahead of 2027, the Supreme Court’s decision serves as a reminder of the importance of following due process and respecting the rule of law in Nigeria’s democracy.