By Otobong Gabriel, Abuja
The leadership crisis rocking Nigeria’s main opposition party deepened on Friday as the Federal High Court sitting in Ibadan, Oyo State, nullified the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Convention held on November 15, 2025.
The court declared the convention invalid and unconstitutional, effectively overturning all decisions and elections conducted during the gathering, including the emergence of Kabiru Tanimu Turaki (SAN) as the party’s National Chairman.
Court Voids Convention Outcomes
In its ruling, the court held that the convention failed to comply with the PDP constitution and existing legal requirements, making the entire process legally defective.
As a result, every official elected during the Ibadan convention has been stripped of recognition. This means Turaki and other officers cannot lawfully present themselves as members of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC).
The judgment has reshaped the PDP’s national structure and returned the party to its caretaker leadership arrangement pending a fresh and valid convention.
Caretaker Committee Recognised
The court further ruled that the Caretaker Committee led by Abdulrahman and Senator Samuel Anyanwu remains the only legally recognised leadership body of the PDP for now.
This committee is expected to oversee the party’s affairs and organise a new national convention that complies fully with legal and constitutional provisions.
The decision restores control of the party to the caretaker leadership and sidelines the faction that emerged from the Ibadan convention.
How the Ibadan Convention Unfolded
The nullified convention had drawn delegates from all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, but it was anything but smooth.
The event was marked by:
Disagreements over zoning arrangements
Delays in delegate accreditation
Allegations of last-minute political manoeuvres
Tensions between rival factions
Security presence around the venue was heightened as disagreements nearly disrupted proceedings before voting eventually took place.
Despite the controversies, Turaki was declared winner and announced as National Chairman — a victory that has now been legally overturned.
Implications for the PDP
The ruling represents a major setback for the opposition party at a critical time when it is trying to reposition itself ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Political analysts say the judgment could:
Prolong internal divisions
Delay leadership stability
Force fresh negotiations among party blocs
Affect PDP’s preparation for future elections
However, others believe the court’s intervention may help restore order by compelling the party to follow due process and constitutional guidelines.
What Happens Next?
With the convention nullified, the PDP is expected to:
Maintain the caretaker leadership
Resolve internal disputes
Fix a new date for a lawful national convention
There are also indications that some affected party members may challenge the ruling through an appeal.
Until then, the caretaker committee remains in charge of the party’s national structure.
Conclusion
The Federal High Court’s decision has significantly altered the PDP’s leadership landscape. By nullifying the Ibadan convention and restoring the caretaker committee, the judiciary has effectively pressed the reset button on the party’s internal process.
As the PDP works toward unity and a fresh convention, all eyes will be on how quickly it can stabilise and rebuild ahead of Nigeria’s next electoral cycle.
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