By Amofokhai Williams
In a split decision on Thursday, Nigeria’s Supreme Court invalidated the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) national convention held in Ibadan, Oyo State, on November 15 and 16, 2025.
The has dealt a decisive blow to the faction loyal to former Minister of Special Duties, Tanimu Turaki, SAN.
A five-member panel of the apex court ruled by a three-to-two majority that the appeal filed by the Turaki-led group was without merit, thereby affirming earlier concurrent judgments of the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal, both of which had nullified the controversial convention.
Delivering the lead judgment in appeal number SC/CV/164/2026, Justice Stephen Adah held that the appellants had deliberately violated a subsisting restraining order issued by the Federal High Court, which explicitly barred them from proceeding with the convention.
The court noted that the act of disobedience was not contested by the appellants.
The Supreme Court further endorsed the lower courts’ finding that the PDP faction had abused judicial processes by obtaining a counter-order from a court of coordinate jurisdiction in Ibadan, after an earlier restraining order had already been issued by the Federal High Court.
Justice Adah emphasized that the lower courts were correct in relying on Sections 221, 222, and 229 of the 1999 Constitution, which require political parties to adhere strictly to constitutional provisions, electoral regulations, and valid court orders in the conduct of conventions and other internal party affairs.
The appeal had challenged the Court of Appeal’s March 9 judgment, which itself upheld the Federal High Court’s earlier decision nullifying the Ibadan convention and restraining the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising any outcomes arising from it.
The Supreme Court had reserved judgment on the matter after hearing final arguments on April 22. In its ruling on Thursday, the court dismissed both the main appeal and the cross-appeals, ordering all parties to bear their respective costs.
