The camp of former Minister of Special Duties, Tanimu Turaki, has issued a statement following the Supreme Court ruling that nullified the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) national convention held in Ibadan. The group warns that the party currently lacks a clearly defined leadership structure, raising concerns about its stability and future.
Supreme Court Ruling Creates Leadership Vacuum
In a statement released on Thursday, the Turaki camp expressed alarm over the apex court's decision, which voided the convention that took place on November 15 and 16, 2025. The convention had produced a leadership backed by Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde. The Supreme Court's split decision of 3-2 ruled that the convention was conducted in violation of existing court orders. The majority judgment criticized the party for proceeding despite clear directives from the court.
Legal Interpretations and Dissenting Opinions
The Turaki camp, through its National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, noted that the verdict also upheld earlier decisions affecting key party figures. The statement read: "With this split judgment, which also upheld the Court of Appeal’s suspension of Ajibade, SAN, Anyanwu, and others, this effectively leaves the PDP as a party without a defined leadership." The camp highlighted dissenting opinions from Justices Haruna Tsammani and Abubakar Umar, who argued that the appeals stemmed from internal party affairs and were therefore non-justiciable.
Concerns Over Party Stability
The Turaki camp warned that the development could have wider implications for the party's internal cohesion and political standing. It cautioned that failure to address the leadership vacuum promptly might deepen the crisis. "This leads the vehicle of our party towards a dangerous bend, which, if not carefully navigated, may not only affect the party but also multi-party democracy in our country," the statement added.
Call for Swift Intervention
Despite the uncertainty, the group expressed optimism that the party's constitutional structures would intervene to resolve the situation. "To this end, we are certain that the existing organs of the party will take the necessary steps to salvage the party and confer leadership on it going forward," it stated. This reaction underscores the intensifying leadership tussle within the PDP as stakeholders respond to the Supreme Court's decision ahead of future political engagements.
