Breaking…Turaki faction loses as Supreme Court voids PDP Ibadan convention

The Supreme Court of Nigeria on Thursday invalidated the national convention of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) held in Ibadan on November 15 and 16, 2025, in a ruling that delivers a major setback to the faction led by Tanimu Turaki (SAN).

In a split decision by a five-member panel, the apex court held that the appeal filed by the Turaki-led faction lacked merit. It subsequently affirmed the earlier judgments of both the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal, which had declared the convention invalid.

The ruling effectively nullifies the outcomes of the Ibadan convention, deepening the leadership crisis within the PDP as rival factions continue to battle for control of the party structure.

Justice Stephen Adah, delivering the lead judgment in appeal number SC/CV/164/2026, ruled that the appellants went ahead with the convention in clear violation of a subsisting order of the Federal High Court restraining the exercise.

The court consequently dismissed the appeal and cross-appeals, ordering all parties to bear their respective costs.

The justices also held that the disobedience of court orders was not in dispute, adding that the PDP faction engaged in an abuse of court process by allegedly securing a conflicting order from a court of coordinate jurisdiction after an earlier injunction had already been issued.

The apex court agreed with the lower courts that political parties are bound by Sections 221, 222 and 229 of the 1999 Constitution to comply strictly with constitutional provisions, electoral guidelines, and valid court orders in the conduct of their internal affairs.

The appeal challenged the March 9 judgment of the Court of Appeal, which had upheld the Federal High Court’s decision nullifying the convention and restraining the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising its outcome.

The Supreme Court had earlier reserved judgment in the matter after hearing arguments on April 22.