PDP factions bicker as Oyo court validates Ibadan convention

 Justice Akintola ruled that the joinder application was unsubstantiated, and consequently dismissed it.

 Among the issues formulated for determination before the Court was whether, having regard to the express provisions of Articles 33(7), 47(1) and (2) of the party's Constitution (as amended in 2017) and Section 223(2)(a) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), the 1st to 3rd Defendants were entitled, in any manner whatsoever, to truncate, frustrate, disrupt, prevent or stop the scheduled elective National Convention fixed for November 15 and 16, 2025, in Ibadan, Oyo State, for the purpose of electing national officers of the party.

 The court also considered whether it was not evident that the 1st Defendant (PDP) had complied with all necessary requirements, including the issuance of the requisite statutory notice, for the conduct of the National Convention.

 In granting the reliefs, the court declared that, by virtue of Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the Defendants were under an obligation to ensure that the claimant's right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association was not infringed.

 It further declared that any failure to conduct and hold the National Convention would amount to an infringement of that constitutional right.

 The court held that, pursuant to Sections 223(1)(a) and 223(2)(a) of the 1999 Constitution, Section 82(1) and (2)(a) of the Electoral Act 2022, and the notice issued to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on August 29, 2025, all necessary modalities and conditions for the holding of the elective National Convention had been duly satisfied, irrespective of whether INEC monitored the exercise or not.

 In a consequential declaration, the court held that the National Convention convened on November 15 and 16, 2025, pursuant to its orders of November 3, 2025, renewed on November 14, 2025, was legal and valid.

 It ruled that, as INEC was a party at the time the interim orders were made and renewed, the outcome of the convention was binding on the Commission and that it was obliged to give effect to all decisions reached thereat.

 The court consequently directed INEC to continue to give perpetual effect to the outcome of the convention, pending any contrary pronouncement by a higher court.

 Justice Akintola held that the convention, organised by the recognised leadership of the party, satisfied all laid-down legal requirements as stipulated in the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Electoral Act.

 The court said it found no breach of due process or statutory non-compliance in the conduct of the exercise.

 Speaking to reporters after the judgement,counsel to the applicant, Adetunmbi (SAN), said the court was unequivocal that the convention held on November 15 and 16, 2025, was legally conducted and valid.

 “The court made it clear that the convention held on the 15th and 16th was lawfully convened, valid and proper. Since it formed part of a subsisting court order — and INEC was present when that order was made — all authorities, including INEC, are bound to give effect to the outcome of that convention.

 “The convention remains valid unless and until there is a contrary pronouncement from an appellate court.

 “The court examined the judgment and held that INEC was duly notified. The duty is to give proper notice to INEC; it is not mandatory that INEC must be physically present.

 “The party, the PDP, had indicated its intention to conduct the convention. So there was no basis to suggest that the convention should not hold.

 “The claimant has a constitutional right to belong to the PDP and to enjoy the benefits of that membership, including contesting at the convention. He exercised that right, and the court affirmed that the convention in which he participated was validly conducted.

 “We sought 13 reliefs, including affirmation of his right to contest, which the court granted. Although the suit was filed before the convention was held, we urged the court to pronounce on the validity of the convention after it was conducted. The court agreed and affirmed its validity. It also held that since INEC was present when the order was made and was duly served, it is bound to recognise and give effect to the outcome.”

 Also speaking, the legal Adviser of the PDP, Oyo state chapter, Dapo Durosaro, said the judgment had laid the matter to rest.

 “The convention of November 15 and 16 was held pursuant to an interim order of this court permitting the PDP to proceed with its planned convention. This is a final judgment validating that convention held in Ibadan.

 “The PDP demonstrated before the court that it complied fully with the provisions of the law. The court observed that all statutory requirements under the Electoral Act were met and that due notices were served on INEC.

 “All state congresses were duly conducted, and their reports were also served on INEC.

 “That is why the court ruled that the convention was validly held.”

Oyo High Court judgement, an academic exercise, says Wike-backed PDP EXCO

The Nyesom Wike-backed National Caretaker Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), on its part, described the judgement of the Oyo state High Court giving legitimacy to the Ibadan convention of the PDP as a mere academic exercise.

National Publicity Secretary of the faction, Mohammed said in a statement that any judgment that does not include INEC was not enforceable and therefore inconsequential.

He said INEC has already giving effect to the judgement of the Federal High Court in Ibadan declaring the National Caretaker committee as the legitimate leadership of the party.

The statement reads: “The judgment reportedly delivered by the Oyo State High Court is an inconsequential development and is best described as a mere Academic Exercise.

“It is 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 Judgements.  So, this is not NEWS.

He said: “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. A judgement that does not bind INEC is of no consequence whatsoever as far as the issues at stake are  concerned.

“The judgment has no legal effect whatsoever on the conduct, monitoring, or recognition of any party convention purported to have been held on the 15th and 16th of November 2026.

“It bears reiterating that INEC has already complied with two subsisting judgments of the Federal High Court in Abuja, which expressly restrained the Commission from attending, monitoring, or recognizing the outcome of the purported convention.

“INEC has equally complied with the judgment of the Federal High Court, Ibadan, which nullified the said convention and restrained Kabiru Turaki and his associates from parading themselves as leaders of the party.

“In the light of the foregoing, the National Caretaker Working Committee of the party wishes to assure loyal party members and the general public that all arrangements towards the conduct of congresses and National Convention have reached advanced stage.

“The party remains committed to legality, due process, rule of law and entrenchment of internal democracy.”

PDP Professionals seek immediate recognition of Turaki led Exco by INEC

Also reacting to the judgement,the Conference of Professionals in the Peoples Democratic Party (CP-PDP) described it  as a triumph of justice, the rule of law, and the will of  party members nationwide.

National Coordinator of the group, Obinna Nwachukwu, said in Abuja, that INEC should immediately give recognition to the Tanimu Turaki-led National Working Committee that was produced by the convention.

INEC, it added, should “henceforth accord all recognition and limit official correspondence to the Turaki-led NWC on all matters regarding the PDP. This is based on the fact that the judgment of the Oyo State High Court is the latest ruling by a court of concurrent jurisdiction on the matter.”

The group also asked the police  to unseal the National Secretariats of the PDP in Abuja (Wadata Plaza and Legacy House).

“The police must allow the Turaki-led NWC access to the complex to perform its legitimate duty of running the affairs of the party, while also ensuring the NWC is provided with the adequate security guaranteed by the 1999 Constitution.

“The CP-PDP commends the judiciary for its courage in upholding the National Convention in line with the rule of law and the principle of the supremacy of a political party over its internal affairs, as already established by the Supreme Court.”