The Peoples Democratic Party governors-backed Tanimu Turaki (SAN)-led National Working Committee has commended the Oyo State High Court for affirming the legitimacy of the party’s Ibadan National Convention held in November 2025.
Turaki-led NWC, through a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, on Friday, hailed the ruling as a triumph for internal democracy and the cohesion of the party.
On Friday, the Oyo State High Court in Ibadan affirmed the validity of the 2025 PDP National Convention held on November 15 and 16 in Ibadan, which saw Turaki elected to lead the National Working Committee.
Justice Ladiran Akintola of Court 5 delivered the judgment after ruling on an application for joinder in the case.
The court approved all 13 reliefs requested by the claimant, Folahan Malomo Adelabi, represented by his lawyer, Musbau Adetunmbi.
In response, the PDP praised the Honourable Court for its bravery and commitment to upholding 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.
“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 PDP vowed to stay committed to exploring all lawful legal channels to guarantee that justice is thoroughly upheld.
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.”
On January 30, a Federal High Court in Ibadan annulled the PDP National Convention held on November 15, 2025, in Ibadan, Oyo State, and directed Turaki (SAN) and others to stop presenting themselves as national officers of the party.
Prior to the ruling, PDP governors had endorsed the Ibadan Convention, which elected Turaki and members of the National Working Committee for a four-year term, and had overseen the transition from former Chairman Umar Damagum to Turaki before Damagum’s tenure ended on December 9.
However, a faction loyal to Nyesom Wike formed a 13-member caretaker committee on December 8, appointing Mohammed Abdulrahman as Acting National Chairman, Samuel Anyanwu as Acting Secretary, and others, with a 60-day mandate.
Efforts by both the Wike-aligned faction and the governors’ camp to meet at Wadata Plaza on November 18, 2025, descended into chaos and physical confrontations, after which the police sealed the PDP National Secretariat, keeping it closed.
Both factions subsequently approached INEC for recognition, but the commission refused to acknowledge either side, sparking extended legal battles ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Amid the dispute, the Wike-backed caretaker committee announced on February 3 that a fresh National Convention to elect new PDP leaders would take place in Abuja from March 29 to 30.
On February 12, the Court of Appeal heard all consolidated cases regarding the PDP leadership crisis and reserved judgment, with the date for the ruling to be communicated to the parties.
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