Court of Appeal Affirms Order Stopping PDP Ibadan Convention

The Court of Appeal in Abuja on Monday upheld an earlier ruling that stopped the Independent National Electoral Commission from recognising the outcome of the Peoples Democratic Party’s national convention held in Ibadan, Oyo State. The judgment followed an appeal filed by a faction within the party challenging the earlier decision of the Federal High Court in Abuja.

The appellate court, in a unanimous ruling delivered by a three-member panel led by Justice Uchechukwu Onyemenam, dismissed the appeal brought by a group within the PDP led by former Minister of Special Duties, Kabiru Turaki. The group had questioned the authority of the Federal High Court to handle the case. However, the Appeal Court ruled that the lower court had the power to hear the matter.

The case was among several appeals filed by the Turaki group against the October 31, 2025 judgment of the Federal High Court. In that earlier ruling, the court had barred the electoral body from recognising the outcome of the PDP convention held on November 15 and 16, 2025 in Ibadan, where new national officers of the party were expected to emerge.

The Appeal Court ruled that the dispute could not be treated as a simple internal party matter because it involved issues that relate to the Nigerian Constitution, the Electoral Act, and the party’s own constitution. According to the court, the arguments raised by the appellants could not change the fact that there were breaches of laid down procedures.

The court also found that the PDP did not meet certain legal requirements before holding the convention. Among the issues raised was the failure to give the Independent National Electoral Commission proper notice of the convention as required by law. The court also noted that valid congresses were not conducted in more than 14 states before the convention was organised.

The judges maintained that compliance with the Nigerian Constitution, the Electoral Act, and the rules guiding political parties is necessary for proper democratic practice. Based on these findings, the court dismissed the appeal and ordered the appellants to pay a cost of two million naira.

The earlier judgment delivered by Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court had already restrained INEC from accepting or recognising the outcome of the convention until the party follows the required legal process. The court had found that the PDP failed to conduct congresses in some states and also failed to issue the mandatory 21-day notice that allows the electoral commission to monitor party activities.

The trial court had also ruled that official communications issued by the party’s National Chairman without the approval of the National Secretary were not valid under the party’s constitution.

The lawsuit was filed by three members of the PDP who challenged the planned convention. They included Austin Nwachukwu, the PDP chairman in Imo State; Amah Abraham Nnanna, the chairman of the party in Abia State; and Turnah Alabh George, the PDP Secretary for the South-South region.

The plaintiffs had asked the court to stop the convention, arguing that the procedures required before holding such a meeting were not followed. Several individuals and party organs were listed as defendants in the case, including the Independent National Electoral Commission, the PDP, the party’s National Working Committee, the National Executive Committee, Acting National Chairman Umar Iliya Damagum, National Secretary Samuel Anyanwu, National Organising Secretary Umar Baturrle, and other party officials.

With the latest ruling of the Court of Appeal, the decision of the Federal High Court stopping the recognition of the convention remains in force until the party complies with the legal requirements governing such gatherings.