Federal High Court voids PDP’s Ibadan National Convention

A Federal High Court sitting in Ibadan has nullified the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) National Convention held in Ibadan, Oyo State, on 15 November 2025.

In its ruling, the court barred members of the Tanimu Turaki-led National Working Committee (NWC) from parading themselves as national officers of the party.

The court further held that the Caretaker Committee led by Mohammed Abdulrahman and Senator Samuel Anyanwu remains the only recognised National Working Committee of the PDP, pending the conduct of a valid national convention.

It will be recalled that Tanimu Turaki, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, emerged as the PDP National Chairman after a tense and highly controversial national convention in Ibadan.

The convention, which attracted delegates from the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, was marred by sharp disagreements over zoning arrangements, delays in accreditation and allegations of last-minute manoeuvres by rival factions.

Security was beefed up around the venue as factional groups traded accusations, leading to brief disruptions before voting eventually commenced.

The dispute over the convention intensified after conflicting court orders were issued. An Oyo State High Court granted an interim injunction allowing the convention to proceed. At the same time, a Federal High Court in Abuja had earlier ordered the PDP not to hold the exercise.

The Abuja court’s directive stemmed from a suit filed by aggrieved party members who contended that the convention violated the party’s constitution and applicable national laws.

The decision to nullify the convention is largely viewed as a win for the Mohammed Abdulrahman-led Caretaker Committee, which the court has now affirmed as the PDP’s legitimate interim leadership.

The committee, reportedly aligned with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, is expected to continue managing the party’s affairs until a valid national convention is conducted.