Oyo State High Court Upholds PDP 2025 Elective Convention, Validates Kabiru Turaki as Chairman
Justice Ladiran Akintola of the Oyo State High Court in Ibadan has delivered a significant judgment affirming the validity of the Peoples Democratic Party's 2025 Elective Convention. The ruling, delivered on Friday, February 27, 2026, validates Kabiru Turaki (SAN) as the substantive chairman of the opposition party, marking a crucial development in the ongoing leadership disputes within Nigeria's major political opposition.
Court Grants All Reliefs Sought by Claimant
In Suit No. I/1336/2025, Justice Akintola granted all thirteen reliefs sought by the claimant, Folahan Malomo Adelabi, represented by Musibau Adetunmbi (SAN). The court ruled that the convention fully complied with Nigeria's 1999 Constitution, the Electoral Act 2022 (as amended), and all other relevant electoral laws governing political party operations in the country.
The judgment represents a comprehensive victory for the faction supporting Kabiru Turaki's leadership, as the court dismissed motions seeking a stay of proceedings and suspension of the ruling. These motions had been filed by Sunday Ibrahim (SAN) on behalf of Austin Nwachukwu and two other applicants, whose earlier application for joinder was rejected by the judge as lacking merit.
Wike-Led Faction Dismisses Court Ruling as Inconsequential
In a swift and forceful response, the PDP faction backed by Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, has rejected the Oyo State High Court judgment. The faction, operating through a caretaker committee led by Mohammed Abdulrahman and Senator Samuel Anyanwu, issued a statement through national spokesperson Jungudo Mohammed declaring the ruling inconsequential and lacking binding effect.
The Wike faction maintains that the November 2025 convention remains invalid, citing existing Federal High Court judgments that have barred the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from attending or monitoring the exercise. According to the faction's statement, "A judgment that does not bind INEC is of no consequence whatsoever as far as the issues at stake are concerned."
The faction emphasized that INEC has already complied with two subsisting judgments from the Federal High Court in Abuja, which expressly restrained the electoral commission from attending, monitoring, or recognizing the outcome of the disputed convention. Additionally, the faction referenced a Federal High Court judgment in Ibadan that nullified the convention and restrained Kabiru Turaki and his associates from parading themselves as party leaders.
Deepening Party Crisis Ahead of Elections
The conflicting court judgments have intensified the leadership crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party, creating uncertainty about the party's legitimate leadership structure. This development comes at a critical time as Nigeria prepares for upcoming elections, with the opposition party seeking to present a united front against the ruling All Progressives Congress.
The Wike faction's statement assured loyal party members and the general public that arrangements for conducting congresses and the National Convention have reached an advanced stage, suggesting they intend to proceed with their own leadership structure regardless of the Oyo court ruling.
This legal battle follows earlier reports that former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose predicted three more governors would leave the PDP, describing the party's presidential and governorship tickets as having minimal political value. The leadership dispute has already seen Wike and other prominent members expelled from the party by Turaki's faction, further complicating reconciliation efforts within Nigeria's main opposition party.
The conflicting court rulings highlight the complex legal landscape surrounding political party operations in Nigeria, with different courts issuing potentially contradictory judgments on the same matter. This situation creates significant challenges for electoral authorities, party members, and the broader political system as Nigeria navigates its democratic processes.
