Appeal Court Affirms Judgment Nullifying PDP National Convention In Ibadan

The Appeal Court sitting in Abuja has upheld a judgment barring the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from validating the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) National Convention held in Ibadan in November.

A Federal High Court in Ibadan had previously nullified the November 15, 2025, National Convention and its outcomes, setting aside the election of the new executives and barring them from parading themselves as national officers of the party.

Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, was elected as the PDP National Chairman following a tense and highly controversial national convention held in Ibadan.

The convention, which drew delegates from all 36 states and the FCT, was marked by sharp disagreements over zoning, accreditation delays, and allegations of last-minute manoeuvres by rival blocs.

The court dismissed the argument of the Tanimu Turaki-led faction of the People’s Democratic Party that the court lacked jurisdiction to hear the suit against the Ibadan Convention on the grounds that the issues bordered on internal affairs of the party.

On the issue of legal representation, the preliminary objections raised by the respondents loyal to the minister of the Federal Capital Territory Nyesom Wike, that Chris Uche SAN, was not a proper legal counsel to represent the PDP, was also dismissed by the Appellate court on the grounds that the former PDP National Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade was suspended by the party’s National Working Committee NWC.

The court also held that the plaintiffs had the locus standi to have instituted the suit to protect their democratic rights and that the PDP was not denied a fair hearing as it claimed in its appeal.

The court awarded N2million cost against the PDP for filing a frivolous appeal.