The Oyo State High Court sitting in Ibadan has affirmed the legality and validity of the 2025 elective National Convention of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which produced Dr. Kabiru Turaki as the party’s substantive National Chairman.
In a detailed judgment delivered on Friday, Justice Ladiran Akintola upheld the convention in its entirety, ruling that it was conducted in strict compliance with the relevant constitutional provisions and statutory regulations governing the operations of political parties in Nigeria. The court’s pronouncement effectively settles the dispute over the legitimacy of the convention and strengthens the position of the current national leadership of the party.
The case arose from an amended originating summons filed in Suit No. I/1336/2025. The claimant, through his counsel, sought a series of declaratory and consequential reliefs relating to the propriety of the convention held in Ibadan on November 15 and 16, 2025. In a comprehensive ruling, the court granted all 13 reliefs sought, thereby endorsing both the process leading up to the convention and the outcome that emerged from it.
Central to the issues before the court was whether, in accordance with Articles 33(7), 47(1) and (2) of the PDP Constitution (as amended in 2017), as well as Section 223(2)(a) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), there was any lawful basis to halt or truncate the elective National Convention that had been scheduled. The claimant had argued that any attempt to prevent the convention would amount to a violation of the party’s constitution and the broader constitutional guarantees relating to democratic governance within political associations.
Justice Akintola examined whether all statutory and procedural requirements for convening the convention were satisfied, including the issuance of appropriate notices and compliance with timelines stipulated under the Electoral Act 2022. The court held that the party duly issued the required notice to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on August 29, 2025, in accordance with Section 82(1) and (2)(a) of the Electoral Act. It further ruled that the fulfillment of these procedural steps rendered the convention legally valid, irrespective of whether INEC physically monitored the exercise.
In interpreting Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution, which guarantees the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association, the court declared that members of the party were entitled to convene and participate in the elective convention without unlawful interference. The judge reasoned that failure to conduct the convention as scheduled would have infringed upon these constitutionally protected rights.
The court also emphasized that by virtue of Sections 223(1)(a) and 223(2)(a) of the Constitution, political parties are required to ensure that their executive committees are democratically elected. It held that the PDP was bound by its own constitution and the approved guidelines governing congresses and conventions, particularly those adopted by the party’s National Executive Committee and effective from May 1, 2024. According to the judgment, once the nomination process had been concluded in line with these guidelines, the party leadership was under a binding obligation to convene the National Convention as scheduled.
Justice Akintola further declared that the convention held on November 15 and 16, 2025, pursuant to earlier interim orders of the court granted on November 3 and renewed on November 14, was lawfully conducted and properly constituted. The court noted that since INEC was a party at the time the interim orders were made and extended, the outcome of the convention is binding on the commission pending any contrary decision by an appellate court.
In its findings, the court concluded that the convention, organized by the recognized leadership of the PDP, complied fully with constitutional and statutory requirements. It found no evidence of procedural irregularities or breaches of due process that would warrant invalidating the exercise. Consequently, the election of Dr. Kabiru Turaki and other national officers stands affirmed.
The court also addressed ancillary applications filed during the proceedings. A Motion on Notice seeking a stay of proceedings and suspension of the ruling was dismissed on the grounds that it lacked merit. Additionally, an earlier application for joinder filed by certain interested parties was rejected, with the court holding that the request was not sufficiently substantiated to warrant their inclusion in the suit.
The judgment represents a significant development in the internal affairs of the PDP, providing judicial clarity on the status of its 2025 elective convention and reinforcing the principle that political parties must adhere strictly to their constitutions and the provisions of the law in conducting their internal democratic processes.
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