Turaki-Led PDP NWC Celebrates Oyo State High Court verdict upholding Ibadan convention

The governors-backed National Working Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), led by Tanimu Turaki (SAN), has applauded the Oyo State High Court for validating the party’s National Convention held in Ibadan in November 2025.

In a statement issued Friday by its National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, the Turaki-led NWC described the judgment as a major victory for internal democracy and party unity.

Justice Ladiran Akintola of Court 5, sitting in Ibadan, delivered the ruling affirming the legitimacy of the PDP National Convention conducted on November 15 and 16, 2025, at which Turaki emerged as leader of the National Working Committee. The judgment followed a decision on an application for joinder in the suit.

The court granted all 13 reliefs sought by the claimant, Folahan Malomo Adelabi, who was represented by his counsel, Musbau Adetunmbi (SAN).

Reacting to the development, the PDP praised the court for what it termed courage and dedication to justice.

The statement read, “The Peoples Democratic Party has been informed of the judgment of the High Court of Oyo State, sitting in Ibadan, delivered by the Honourable Justice Ladiran Akintola. The court granted all the reliefs sought by the claimant, Folahan Malomo Adelabi, declaring the National Convention held in Ibadan as properly conducted and directing the Independent National Electoral Commission to recognise and give full effect to all decisions and outcomes reached at the said convention, the same having been found to be proper and lawful.

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“The suit was filed by Musbau Adetunbi, SAN, on behalf of his client, Folahan Malomo Adelabi, a card-carrying member of the party, to protect his constitutional right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association. The suit sought, among other reliefs, an order compelling the Peoples Democratic Party to conduct its elections as publicly advertised, and a further order directing INEC to honour the outcomes of the convention.

“The Honourable Court had earlier granted an order to that effect on November 3, 2025, and renewed the same on November 14, 2025 — the legal basis upon which the convention proceeded on November 15 and 16, 2025.

“This judgment affirms and gives final effect to those earlier orders. The party welcomes this judgment as a vindication of both fact and law. It reaffirms the obvious fact that the Ibadan convention was conducted properly, transparently, and in full compliance with the party’s constitution and the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

The Turaki-led leadership further pledged to exhaust all lawful avenues to ensure that justice prevails.

It continued, “We commend the Honourable Court for its courage and fidelity to justice.
We reaffirm our faith in the Nigerian judiciary as an independent arbiter and the last hope of the ordinary citizen.

“The party remains committed to pursuing all legitimate legal avenues to ensure that justice is fully served, and we are confident that the appellate courts will, in like manner, uphold the law without fear or favour, affection, or ill will.”

The fresh ruling comes amid a protracted leadership tussle within the PDP. On January 30, a Federal High Court in Ibadan nullified the November 15, 2025 convention and restrained Turaki and others from parading themselves as national officers of the party.

Before that judgment, PDP governors had thrown their weight behind the Ibadan convention, which elected Turaki and members of the NWC for a four-year tenure. The convention also supervised the transition from former acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, prior to the expiration of his tenure on December 9.

However, a rival faction aligned with Nyesom Wike established a 13-member caretaker committee on December 8, naming Mohammed Abdulrahman as Acting National Chairman and Samuel Anyanwu as Acting Secretary, with a 60-day mandate.

Tensions escalated on November 18, 2025, when attempts by both factions to convene at Wadata Plaza, the party’s national secretariat, deteriorated into disorder and physical clashes, prompting security operatives to seal the premises.

Both camps subsequently sought recognition from the Independent National Electoral Commission, but the commission declined to recognise either faction, setting the stage for multiple court battles as the 2027 general elections approach.

In the midst of the crisis, the Wike-backed caretaker committee announced on February 3 that it would organise a fresh National Convention in Abuja from March 29 to 30 to elect new party leaders.

Meanwhile, on February 12, the Court of Appeal heard consolidated appeals relating to the PDP leadership dispute and reserved judgment, with the date for its decision to be communicated to the parties.

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