An Oyo State High Court in Ibadan has validated the national convention of the Peoples Democratic Party held in November 2025.
The court affirmed that the convention produced Kabiru Tanimu Turaki as the party’s substantive national chairman.
Delivering judgment on Friday, Justice Ladiran Akintola upheld the amended originating summons filed on behalf of claimant Folahan Malomo Adelabi.
The court granted all 13 reliefs sought by the claimant, declaring the convention consistent with the 1999 Constitution and the Electoral Act 2022.
Justice Akintola ruled that the exercise complied with relevant electoral laws and internal party regulations.
Applications seeking to halt proceedings and suspend judgment were dismissed for lacking merit.
The court had earlier rejected attempts by other parties to join the suit, describing their application as unfounded.
In a significant directive, the court ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission to recognise the convention’s outcome.
INEC was instructed to accord full effect to the National Working Committee led by Turaki.
The ruling marks the latest twist in a prolonged leadership dispute within the opposition party.
On January 30, the Federal High Court in Ibadan nullified the same convention.
Justice Uche Agomoh had ruled that the gathering contravened existing court orders.
That decision barred Turaki and other officials from presenting themselves as national officers.
The conflicting judgments have intensified uncertainty within the party’s hierarchy.
Despite the fresh validation, divisions persist between Turaki’s camp and a bloc aligned with Nyesom Wike.
The Wike-aligned faction has reportedly dismissed the latest ruling as inconsequential.
Several appeals connected to the dispute are pending before the Court of Appeal in Abuja.
The appellate court has reserved judgment, leaving the final determination of the party’s leadership unresolved.
