PDP Faction Loses in Supreme Court

The Supreme Court has officially annulled the national convention of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that took place in Ibadan, Oyo State, on November 15 and 16, 2025. According to reports from Naija News, this convention led to the formation of a factional national executive of the party, headed by Tanimu Turaki, SAN.

In a split decision issued on Thursday, a majority of three out of five justices determined that the appeal brought by the Turaki-led faction was without merit. Justice Stephen Adah, who delivered the majority opinion, stated that the appellants had breached an existing order from the federal high court that prohibited them from moving forward with the planned convention.

The Supreme Court’s ruling reinforces earlier judgments asserting that the convention was conducted in violation of established court orders. This event had been the focus of extensive legal challenges before the Supreme Court’s final decision.

A Federal High Court had earlier restrained the PDP from going ahead with the convention, citing alleged breaches of the party’s constitution and failure to comply with due process.

The court also noted unresolved disputes from state congresses and the alleged exclusion of some aspirants from the process.

Despite the order, the convention went ahead, leading to further litigation. The Court of Appeal subsequently upheld the decision of the lower court.

It affirmed that the convention was held in violation of valid judicial pronouncements and that its outcome could not stand.

Dissatisfied with the concurrent judgments, the Turaki-led faction approached the Supreme Court, seeking to overturn the decisions and validate the convention as well as the executives it produced.

The Supreme Court’s decision to void the convention has effectively settled the legal dispute over the legitimacy of the factional leadership that emerged from the exercise.

The ruling is expected to shape the PDP’s internal arrangements as the party prepares for the 2027 general elections.