Turaki-Led PDP Faction Loses as Supreme Court Voids Ibadan Convention

Turaki-Led PDP Faction Loses as Supreme Court Voids Ibadan Convention

The Supreme Court of Nigeria has nullified the national convention held by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ibadan, Ibadan, on November 15 and 16, 2025.

The convention had produced a factional national executive led by Tanimu Turaki, SAN.

The exercise had been mired in controversy and prolonged legal battles prior to the apex court’s ruling.

The Ibadan convention was conducted despite subsisting court orders restraining the PDP from proceeding with the gathering.

Earlier, a Federal High Court had barred the convention, citing multiple breaches of the party’s constitution and failure to follow due process. The court specifically pointed to unresolved disputes from state congresses and the exclusion of certain aspirants, which it said undermined the credibility of the exercise.

Despite the injunction, the convention went ahead, prompting further litigation.

The Court of Appeal upheld the decision of the lower court, ruling that the convention was conducted in violation of valid judicial orders and that its outcome could not stand.

Dissatisfied, the Turaki-led faction approached the Supreme Court, seeking to overturn the earlier judgments and validate both the convention and the executives it produced.

However, in its final judgment, the Supreme Court dismissed the appeal and affirmed the concurrent decisions of the lower courts.

With this ruling, the apex court has effectively invalidated the Ibadan convention and the factional leadership that emerged from it, bringing an end to the legal tussle over its legitimacy.

The decision is expected to have significant implications for the internal leadership structure and future direction of the PDP.