Justice Uche Agomoh of the Federal High Court, Ibadan, Oyo State, has nullified the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) National Convention held in the city in November 2025.
The Taminu Turaki group of the PDP had earlier filed suit number FHC/IB/CS/121/2025, seeking recognition of the convention held in Ibadan, Oyo State, on November 15, 2025, and validation of the National Working Committee (NWC) that emerged at the convention
But in a judgment on Friday, Justice Agomoh held that the convention was conducted in flagrant disobedience to two subsisting judgments of the same court, adding that returning to seek judicial approval for actions taken in defiance of court orders was an exercise in futility.
Consequently, all decisions taken at the convention were set aside by the court.
It barred Turaki (SAN) and others who emerged as NWC members from parading themselves as such.
According to Justice Agomoh, the caretaker committee, led by Abdulrahman Mohammed and Samuel Anyanwu, is the only recognised NWC of the PDP pending the conduct of a valid national convention.
The court described the suit as a brazen attempt by the applicant to legitimize its illegalities done in violation of subsisting court orders.
It said the application failed and was thereby dismissed.
“I hold that the caretaker committee is the only lawful governing body of PDP that INEC should recognize and relate with,” the judge said.
“This suit is a brazen attempt by the applicant to legitimize its illegalities done in violation of subsisting court orders. I cannot allow that or sit on appeal over those judgments.”
“The application fails and is dismissed,” the judge said.
On November 14, the Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice Peter Lifu, ordered the suspension of the PDP convention in a suit filed by former Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido.
Lamido had challenged the process, alleging that he was denied the opportunity to purchase a nomination form to contest for the party’s chairmanship, in violation of the PDP constitution and guidelines.
Before that, an Oyo High Court instructed the party to continue with plans about the convention.
While granting the order, Justice A. L. Akintola directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to attend, monitor, and observe the exercise pending the hearing and determination of the substantive motion on notice.
Boost for Democracy
Reacting to the judgment, counsel to the PDP Caretaker Committee, Ferdinand Orbih (SAN), described the ruling as a boost for Nigeria’s democracy.
According to him, the claimants had sought judicial endorsement of what he described as an illegal convention, but the court firmly rejected the move.
He said the judgment affirmed that the rule of law must prevail over political expediency, stressing that all actions and structures arising from the convention had been completely nullified.
Orbih added that the court’s decision underscored the inevitability of the caretaker committee taking charge of the party’s affairs until a valid convention is conducted in line with the law.
According to him, the ruling sends a strong message to political actors on the importance of obeying court judgments, warning that disregard for the rule of law could lead to chaos.
Turaki-Led Group To Challenge Verdict
Meanwhile, the Turaki-led group said it will immediately file an appeal and pursue all available legal options to protect its position.
“We have accordingly briefed our lawyers to immediately file an appeal and to take all further legal steps necessary to advance our arguments and firmly protect our position on this matter,” its spokesman, Ini Ememobong, said in a statement.
Ememobong maintained that despite the judgment, the Turaki–led leadership that emerged from the Ibadan convention remains valid and legally intact, pending a final determination by the appellate courts.
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