The Supreme Court has nullified the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) national convention held in Ibadan, Oyo State, in November 2025, bringing an end to the prolonged legal battle over its legitimacy.

Court faults convention process

In a split judgment delivered on Thursday, three out of five justices ruled that the appeal filed by the Tanimu Turaki-led faction lacked merit.

Justice Stephen Adah, who read the lead judgment, held that the appellants proceeded with the convention despite a subsisting order of the Federal High Court restraining them from doing so.

Earlier rulings affirmed

The apex court’s decision effectively upholds the earlier judgments of both the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal.

The lower courts had ruled that the convention violated due process, citing breaches of the party’s constitution and unresolved disputes from state congresses.

They also noted that the exclusion of some aspirants undermined the credibility of the exercise.

Legal battle over factional leadership

Despite the court order, the Ibadan convention held on November 15 and 16, 2025, producing a set of party executives that became the subject of litigation.

The Turaki-led faction had approached the Supreme Court seeking to overturn the earlier rulings and validate both the convention and its outcome.

However, the apex court dismissed the appeal, affirming that the exercise could not stand due to its violation of valid judicial pronouncements.

Implications for PDP structure

The ruling is expected to have significant implications for the internal structure and leadership of the PDP.

It also brings closure to months of legal uncertainty surrounding the legitimacy of the factional leadership that emerged from the disputed convention.