A FEDERAL High Court sitting in Ibadan, Oyo State, has nullified the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Convention held in the city on November 15, 2025, dealing a major legal blow to one of the rival factions battling for control of the opposition party.
News Point Nigeria reports that in a ruling delivered on Friday, Justice Uche Agomoh barred all officials elected at the Ibadan convention, including former Minister of Special Duties and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, from parading themselves as leaders of the PDP.
Turaki had emerged as National Chairman of the party at the convention, which was attended by delegates from all 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). However, the exercise further deepened the PDP’s internal crisis, with aggrieved members approaching the court to stop the convention, arguing that it violated subsisting court orders.
Despite the legal challenge, the faction loyal to Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, insisted on proceeding with the convention, a move the court later described as a flagrant disregard for judicial authority.
In his ruling, Justice Agomoh held that the PDP acted in clear contempt of court by organising the convention while valid court orders restraining such action were still in force.
“The party cannot disobey subsisting court orders and still approach the court to seek judicial endorsement of actions taken in defiance of those orders,” the judge ruled.
He consequently declared the Ibadan convention null and void and restrained all individuals elected at the event from presenting themselves as national officers of the PDP.
Justice Agomoh further ruled that the Caretaker Committee led by Ambassador Iliya Damagum (represented in court proceedings by Abdulrahman) and Senator Samuel Anyanwu remains the only recognised National Working Committee (NWC) of the party pending the conduct of a valid and legally compliant National Convention.
Senator Anyanwu’s faction is widely known to be loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, whose influence continues to shape the party’s power dynamics amid the protracted leadership tussle.
The judgment is expected to intensify internal realignments within the PDP as the party struggles to stabilise ahead of the 2027 general elections. Analysts warn that the deepening legal and factional battles could further weaken the party’s opposition role unless a political settlement is urgently reached.
As of press time, there was no official reaction from the Turaki camp or the Makinde-led faction, while party stakeholders continue consultations on the implications of the ruling.
