Turaki-Led PDP NWC Applauds Oyo Court Ruling on Convention

The Tanimu Turaki-led National Working Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party on Friday welcomed the judgment of the Oyo State High Court in Ibadan which upheld the validity of the party’s National Convention held in November 2025.

The court ruled that the convention, where Turaki emerged as National Chairman, was properly conducted and lawful.
Justice Ladiran Akintola delivered the decision after considering an application related to the case.

The court granted all the reliefs sought by the claimant, Folahan Malomo Adelabi, who had approached the court to protect his rights as a party member and to ensure that the convention was conducted as scheduled.

The judgment also directed the Independent National Electoral Commission to recognise and give effect to the decisions reached at the Ibadan convention.

In a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, the Turaki-led NWC described the ruling as a confirmation that the convention complied with the party’s constitution and the laws of the country.

The group said earlier court orders granted in November 2025 provided the legal backing for the convention to hold on November 15 and 16 of that year.

The development comes amid an ongoing leadership crisis within the PDP. In January, a Federal High Court in Ibadan had nullified the same convention and restrained Turaki and other officials from parading themselves as national officers of the party.

That ruling deepened the division between factions within the party.
Before the crisis escalated, PDP governors had supported the Ibadan convention, which produced Turaki and members of the National Working Committee for a four-year term.

The convention followed the transition from former acting chairman Umar Damagum before his tenure ended in December 2025.

However, a rival faction loyal to former Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike set up a 13-member caretaker committee in December 2025, appointing Mohammed Abdulrahman as Acting National Chairman and Samuel Anyanwu as Acting Secretary, with a 60-day mandate.

Attempts by both camps to take control of the party’s national secretariat in Abuja led to disorder, prompting the police to seal the building.

Both factions later sought recognition from INEC, but the commission declined to recognise either side, leading to prolonged legal disputes as the 2027 general elections approach.

The Wike-backed caretaker committee also announced plans to hold another national convention in Abuja in March 2026 to elect new leaders.

The Court of Appeal heard consolidated cases relating to the leadership dispute on February 12 and reserved judgment, with a date yet to be fixed for the ruling.

Meanwhile, the Turaki-led NWC said it would continue to pursue all lawful steps to defend its position and expressed confidence that higher courts would address the matter in line with the law.