The Supreme Court of Nigeria has nullified the national convention of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) held in Ibadan, Oyo State, on November 15 and 16, 2025. In a fiery split judgment of three to two, the apex court on Thursday, 30 April 2026, dismissed the appeal filed by the Tanimu Turaki-led faction and affirmed the concurrent rulings of the Federal High Court and Court of Appeal, which had voided the convention for being conducted in "blatant disobedience to a valid court order". The landmark decision effectively sacks the factional National Working Committee (NWC) produced by that convention, clearing the way for the rival faction backed by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
The apex Court of Nigeria on Thursday, 30 April 2026, delivered a landmark judgment nullifying the controversial national convention of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) held in Ibadan, Oyo State, on 15 and 16 November 2025. In a split decision of three to two, a five-member panel of the apex court dismissed the appeal filed by the faction led by former Minister of Special Duties, Tanimu Turaki (SAN), and affirmed the concurrent decisions of the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal, which had earlier voided the convention for being conducted in defiance of valid judicial orders.
Delivering the lead majority judgment, Justice Stephen Adah held that the Ibadan convention was an act of "blatant disobedience" to a subsisting order of the Federal High Court. The court noted that the PDP and its Turaki-led faction had proceeded with the convention despite a clear ruling by Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court which restrained the party from holding the exercise until it had made nomination forms available to former Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido, who had been unlawfully excluded from contesting for the position of national chairman. “Judgments of courts must be obeyed until they are set aside,” Justice Adah declared, stating that the failure to obey a valid court order is fatal to any appeal and that an appellant in disobedience cannot be heard by the court.
The majority judgment consequently dismissed the appeal, voided the November 2025 convention, and ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) not to recognise any of the outcomes or executives that emerged from the exercise. The court further held that the convention violated mandatory constitutional procedures and due process requirements, including the failure to conduct valid state congresses before the national convention. The ruling effectively strips the Turaki-led National Working Committee of all legal standing, erasing its leadership claims and rendering all decisions, appointments, and resolutions arising from the Ibadan gathering null and void.
However, the split decision revealed a sharp division among the justices. In a dissenting opinion, Justice Haruna Tsammani agreed with the majority that it was wrong for the appellant to have disobeyed the trial court’s order. However, he held that the Federal High Court lacked the jurisdiction to entertain the suit in the first place, arguing that the case was strictly an internal party matter over which courts should not intervene. He further faulted the majority for raising the issue of disobedience on its own without giving the appellant an opportunity to defend itself. Justice Tsammani consequently allowed the appeal and struck out the suit.
The legal battle began when the Turaki-led faction, which also enjoys the backing of Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, held its convention in Ibadan amid intense rivalry within the party. The convention produced a parallel set of national executives, further deepening the crisis that has plagued the PDP since its defeat in the 2015 general elections. Aggrieved members, including Sule Lamido, challenged the exercise in court, leading to Justice Peter Lifu’s restraining order. When the convention proceeded regardless, the matter escalated to the Court of Appeal, which upheld the High Court’s decision. Dissatisfied, the Turaki group approached the Supreme Court, urging it to overturn the lower courts. However, the apex court has now affirmed the nullification, dealing a crushing blow to the Makinde-Turaki camp.
The judgment is a major victory for the rival faction aligned with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike. The Wike-backed group had rejected the Ibadan convention and instead organised a parallel convention in Abuja in March 2026, re-electing Abdulrahman Mohammed as National Chairman. With the Supreme Court’s ruling, the Wike faction now enjoys undisputed recognition, effectively consolidating its control over the party’s national secretariat and its leadership structure.
The ruling is expected to significantly reshape Nigeria’s political landscape as the country prepares for the 2027 general elections. By validating the Wike-led leadership, the Supreme Court has provided the PDP with an opportunity to unify its ranks, though deep internal divisions may persist. The Turaki faction has yet to issue an official statement, but legal observers anticipate that the group may explore further legal or political options to challenge the outcome. For now, the Supreme Court has spoken, and the Ibadan convention — and all its claims to leadership — is no more.
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