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Dismisses Turaki-Led Faction’s Appeal
- Safiu Kehinde
The Supreme Court has affirmed the Appeal Court ruling which nullified the outcome of the November 2025 National Convention held by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ibadan, Oyo State.
The apex court’s judgement also implied the sacking of the Tanimu Turaki-led National Working Committee which emerged during the convention.
In a decisive ruling delivered in Abuja on Thursday, the Supreme Court held that the convention was invalid, thereby voiding all decisions and outcomes arising from it.
Further ruling by the court also saw the dismissal of the Turaki-led faction’s appeal against the Federal High Court ruling which barred the PDP from proceeding with its national convention in Ibadan without accommodating former Jigawa state governor, Sule Lamido.
According to reports, the Court of Appeal had, in its earlier ruling, ordered the suspension of the PDP National Convention until Lamido is given a chance to buy the party chairmanship form.
However, the Turaki-led faction challenged the appellate court’s ruling as it asked the Supreme Court to set aside the ruling that voided the convention for breaching a subsisting court order.
Through their counsel, Paul Erokoro (SAN), the appellants urged the apex court to uphold the convention and dismiss a cross-appeal filed by a rival faction loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
Reacting, the respondents, including former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido, contended that the dispute transcends internal party matters and centres on disobedience to a valid court order.
The judgment comes amid prolonged leadership disputes that have deepened divisions within the PDP, with multiple factions laying claim to the party’s national structure.
Delivering the majority judgment, Justice Stephen held that the national convention held in Ibadan, Oyo State, on November 15 and 16, last year, was in defiance of an existing judgment of the Federal High Court, delivered by Justice James Omotosho.
The apex court faulted the Turaki-led faction for going on to another court of coordinate jurisdiction to secure an order, instead of going on appeal.