The Federal High Court in Abuja has again voided the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) convention held in Ibadan, Oyo State, in November 2025, and barred the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising its outcomes, including the election of party leaders.
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik delivered the ruling on Monday in a suit filed by a faction of the party aligned with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
The judgment, which aligns with an earlier decision of the Court of Appeal in Abuja this month, came hours after the Wike-backed faction concluded its own national convention in Abuja, where Abdulrahman Mohammed emerged as national chairman, Samuel Anyawnu as secretary, alongside other members of the National Working Committee (NWC).
Court Affirms Earlier Rulings, Declares Convention Invalid
Justice Abdulmalik held that the Ibadan convention, held between November 15 and 16, 2025, violated Section 287(3) of the Constitution, the PDP constitution, and subsisting court orders.
She ruled that all actions taken at the convention, including the election of officers and suspension of members, were unconstitutional and without effect.
“I considered the expulsion of the members of the plaintiffs as not only an affront to the subsisting judgment, but also a direct assault on a democratic and principled society,” the judge said.
The court declared that all proceedings, resolutions, and decisions from the convention were null and void.
Court Grants Wike Faction Control Of Secretariat
The court also ordered that the Wike’s group be granted access to the PDP national secretariat in Abuja, which had been sealed following clashes between rival factions.
It also directed security agencies, including the police and the State Security Service (SSS), to provide protection for the group when using the facility.
In addition, the court restrained the opposing faction from accessing or interfering with party properties, including holding meetings at the secretariat.
INEC was also barred from recognising any officials or addresses linked to the Ibadan convention.
Suit Filed By Wike-aligned Leaders
The suit was filed on November 21, 2025, by the Wike faction through its then-acting chairman, Abdulrahman Mohammed, and acting secretary, Samuel Anyanwu.
The defendants included INEC, the Nigeria Police, the SSS, and members of the rival faction led by Kabiru Turaki, who emerged as national chairman at the Ibadan convention.
The plaintiffs asked the court to stop the Turaki group from presenting themselves as party officials and to compel security agencies to enforce earlier court judgements.
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Court Rejects Claims Of Bias, Upholds Jurisdiction
Before addressing the main issues, Justice Abdulmalik dismissed an application by the defendants asking her to withdraw from the case.
The defendants had requested that the matter be reassigned by the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, John Tsoho, citing alleged bias.
The judge ruled that allegations of bias must be supported by credible evidence and not mere suspicion, adding that no such evidence was presented.
She also declined to strike out the case, rejecting arguments that the matter was an internal party dispute beyond the court’s jurisdiction.
According to her, the case involved constitutional interpretation and enforcement of existing court orders, making it properly within the court’s authority.
Background To The PDP Crisis
The leadership crisis within the PDP has persisted for nearly three years, splitting the party into rival factions.
In November 2025, despite court orders from Federal High Court judges, including Justices James Omotosho and Peter Lifu, the Turaki-led faction went ahead with the Ibadan convention, where new party leaders were elected and some members were suspended.
Those affected included Samuel Anyanwu, Kamaldeen Ajibade, Okechukwu Osuoha, and Umar Bature, all accused of anti-party activities.
On March 9, the Court of Appeal upheld the earlier rulings nullifying the convention.
Legal Battle Heads To Supreme Court
Following their loss at the Court of Appeal, the Turaki faction approached the Supreme Court for a final determination of the dispute.
Reacting to Monday’s judgment, counsel to the Wike faction, Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN), said the ruling further strengthened the legitimacy of the Abuja convention held on Sunday.
Meanwhile, the Turaki group has maintained that efforts are ongoing to restore unity within the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In a related development, a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Maitama recently ordered the arrest of Kabiru Turaki over his failure to appear in a criminal case unrelated to the PDP dispute. The court has fixed April 22 for his arraignment.
Rafiyat Sadiq is a political, justice, and human rights reporter with Pinnacle Daily, known for fearless reporting and impactful storytelling. At Pinnacle Daily, she brings clarity and depth to issues shaping governance, democracy, and the protection of citizens’ rights.
