Despite Pending Appeal, Court Validates’ 2025 PDP Convention

An Oyo State High Court sitting in Ibadan yesterday validated the 2025 Election of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) which was held in Ibadan on November 15 and 16, 2025.

Justice Ladiran Akintola of Court 5 delivered the judgment shortly after ruling on an application for joinder.

In the judgment, the court granted the 13 reliefs sought by the claimant, Folahan Malomo Adelabi, through his counsel, Musbau Adetunmbi (SAN).

He ruled that the convention complied with provisions of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Electoral Act 2022 (as amended) and other relevant electoral laws.

The judgment validates the emergence of the Dr. Taminu Turaki-led National Working Committee that emerged at the convention.

The court dismissed the motions seeking a stay of proceedings and suspension of the ruling, filed by Sunday Ibrahm (SAN) on behalf of Austin Nwachukwu and two others.

The judge also rejected their joinder application, saying it lacked merit.

Meanwhile, the Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, had on Thursday, February 12, reserved judgment in nine appeals filed by rival factions of the Peoples Democratic Party over Federal High Court decisions halting the party’s November 15 and 16, 2025, national convention held in Ibadan, Oyo State.

The convention produced Tanimu Turaki (SAN) as National Chairman of the PDP, alongside other national officers.

A three-member panel of the appellate court fixed judgment for a date to be communicated to the parties after the adoption of all written processes in the appeals.

One of the appeals, marked CA/ABJ/CV/1613/2025, has the PDP, its National Working Committee, and National Executive Committee as appellants, while INEC, Austin Nwachukwu, Amah Abraham Nnanna, Turnah George, Samuel Anyanwu, Umar Damagum, Ali Odefa, and Emmanuel Ogidi are listed as respondents.

Adopting the appellants’ brief filed on November 20, 2025, counsel for the appellants, Chief Chris Uche (SAN), told the court that the appeal challenges the October 31, 2025, judgment delivered by Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja.

He argued that the judgment was delivered without jurisdiction and urged the appellate court to dismiss what he described as “misconceived preliminary objections” and allow the appeal.

He also prayed the court to set aside the judgment and orders of the trial court.

Meanwhile, the party in a statement signed by the Turaki-led NWC National Publicity Secretary, Peoples Democratic Party Comrade Ini Ememobong, welcomed the Oyo State High Court judgement.

The statement read in part, ‘’ Peoples Democratic Party has been informed of the judgment of the High Court of Oyo State, sitting in Ibadan, delivered by the Honourable Justice Ladiran Akintola.

‘‘The court granted all the reliefs sought by the claimant, Folahan Malomo Adelabi, declaring the National Convention held in Ibadan as properly conducted and directing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognise and give full effect to all decisions and outcomes reached at the said convention, the same having been found to be proper and lawful.

The suit was filed by Musibau Adetunbi, SAN, on behalf of his client, Folahan Malomo Adelabi, a card-carrying member of the party, to protect his constitutional right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association. The suit sought, among other reliefs, an order compelling the Peoples Democratic Party to conduct its elections as publicly advertised, and a further order directing INEC to honour the outcomes of the convention.

‘’The Honourable Court had earlier granted an order to that effect on 3 November 2025, and renewed the same on 14 November 2025- the legal basis upon which the convention proceeded on November 15 and 16, 2025. This judgment affirms and gives final effect to those earlier orders.

‘’The party welcomes this judgment as a vindication of both fact and law. It reaffirms the obvious fact that the Ibadan convention was conducted properly, transparently, and in full compliance with the party’s constitution and the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

‘‘We commend the Honourable Court for its courage and fidelity to justice. We reaffirm our faith in the Nigerian judiciary as an independent arbiter and the last hope of the ordinary citizen.

‘’The party remains committed to pursuing all legitimate legal avenues to ensure that justice is fully served, and we are confident that the appellate courts will, in like manner, uphold the law without fear or favour, affection or ill will.’’

But the National Caretaker Working Committee of the party said the judgment reportedly delivered by the Oyo State High Court is an inconsequential development and best described as a mere academic exercise.

The National Publicity Secretary, NCWC, Hon. Jungudo Haruna Mohammed while reacting to the court judgment on Friday, said it was important to state clearly that “the court that delivered today’s judgement was the same court that earlier granted an interim order to Mr. Damagum and his co – travelers the permission to proceed with their Amala Convention held on 15th and 16th November 2025 against two valid Federal High Court Judgement.  So, this is not NEWS.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the said judgment does not bind Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), as INEC was neither joined nor represented as a party in the suit. To say the least, INEC challenged the jurisdiction of the Oyo State High Court, which the court later agreed in a ruling delivered by the judge and subsequently struck out the name of INEC.’’