The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), led by Tanimu Turaki (SAN), has welcomed the Oyo State High Court judgment validating the party’s November 2025 National Convention in Ibadan.
In a statement issued Friday by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, the Turaki-led NWC described the ruling as a victory for internal democracy and party unity.
Justice Ladiran Akintola of Court 5 had affirmed the legitimacy of the convention held on November 15 and 16, 2025, during which Turaki emerged as National Chairman. The court granted all 13 reliefs sought by the claimant, Folahan Malomo Adelabi, who was represented by Musbau Adetunmbi (SAN), and directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognise and give effect to the outcomes of the convention.
Reacting to the verdict, the PDP leadership praised the court for upholding justice and reaffirmed its confidence in the judiciary. It maintained that the Ibadan convention was conducted lawfully, transparently, and in line with the party’s constitution and Nigerian law.
The party also pledged to continue pursuing all lawful legal avenues to ensure justice is sustained at the appellate level.
The ruling comes amid an ongoing leadership crisis within the PDP. On January 30, a Federal High Court in Ibadan had nullified the same convention and barred Turaki and others from parading themselves as national officers.
The crisis deepened after a faction loyal to Nyesom Wike established a 13-member caretaker committee, naming Mohammed Abdulrahman as Acting National Chairman and Samuel Anyanwu as Acting Secretary.
Following clashes at the party’s Wadata Plaza secretariat and police intervention, both factions sought recognition from INEC, which declined to acknowledge either side, triggering prolonged legal disputes ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Meanwhile, the Wike-backed faction has announced plans to hold a fresh national convention in Abuja on March 29–30. The Court of Appeal, which heard consolidated cases on the leadership tussle on February 12, has reserved judgment, with a date to be communicated to the parties.