Ogona Anita
Supreme Court has nullified the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) national convention held in Ibadan, Oyo State, which produced a factional leadership within the party.
The ruling, delivered on Thursday, April 30, 2026, ended a protracted legal battle over the legitimacy of the convention conducted on November 15–16, 2025.
That gathering had led to the emergence of a parallel national executive headed by former minister Tanimu Turaki.
In a split judgment, three of the five justices dismissed the appeal brought by the Turaki-led group, declaring it lacked merit.
Reading the lead judgment, Justice Stephen Adah noted that the faction proceeded with the convention in defiance of an earlier Federal High Court order halting the exercise.
The apex court upheld previous decisions that had already invalidated the convention, stressing that actions taken in violation of valid court directives cannot stand in law.
The Ibadan convention had faced multiple challenges before the final ruling.
A Federal High Court initially barred the PDP from holding the event, citing breaches of party rules, unresolved disputes from state congresses, and complaints that some aspirants were excluded.
Despite the injunction, the convention went ahead, prompting further litigation.
The Court of Appeal later affirmed the lower court’s decision, ruling that the exercise failed to follow due process and could not be recognized.
Still dissatisfied, the Turaki faction approached the Supreme Court, seeking to overturn the earlier judgments and validate both the convention and its leadership.
The apex court rejected the request, affirming the lower courts’ rulings.
Second Appeal Dismissed
In a related matter, the Supreme Court also dismissed another appeal filed by the same faction.
The justices ruled that parties who disobey court orders cannot seek relief from another court while still in violation.
The court criticized the group for attempting to secure a fresh order from a court of equal authority instead of properly appealing the earlier ruling, describing the move as a misuse of judicial process.
This second appeal was also decided by a narrow margin, with three justices supporting dismissal and two dissenting.
Key Takeaway
The Supreme Court’s decision effectively ends the Turaki faction’s bid to legitimize the Ibadan convention.
It reinforces the principle that political actors must comply with judicial directives.
The ruling consolidates earlier judgments and underscores the judiciary’s stance against parallel party structures formed in defiance of court orders.
