In a major blow to the PDP, a Federal High Court in Oyo State has nullified the November 15, 2025, national convention. Delivering the ruling on Friday, January 30, Justice Uche Agumoh barred all officers elected at the convention from parading themselves as leaders of the party. The court ruled that the gathering was a product of “flagrant disregard” for judicial directives, effectively dissolving the current Tanimu Turaki-led NWC.
Justice Agomoh ruled that the PDP’s November national convention was organised in flagrant disregard of subsisting court orders. The judge ruled that the party cannot wilfully disobey judicial directives and subsequently approach the court to seek validation for actions taken in defiance of those orders. Consequently, the judge held that the PDP must operate solely through its caretaker committee until a lawful national convention is conducted. This ruling follows a suit filed by a faction of the National Working Committee (NWC), led by Kabiru Turaki, which sought to validate the members elected during the convention. In November 2025, this faction had organised the now-nullified event in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
During the convention, 20 NWC members were elected, including Kabiru Turaki (National Chairman), Hamza Akuyan Koshe (Deputy National Chairman—North), Daniel Ambrose Woye (Deputy National Chairman—South), and Arapaja Taofeek Gbola-Oladejo (National Secretary). Leading up to the event, conflicting court orders were issued regarding its legality. On October 31, 2025, the Federal High Court in Abuja stopped the PDP from proceeding, as Justice Omotosho held that the party failed to conduct valid state congresses as required by the 1999 Constitution, INEC guidelines, and the party’s own constitution.
However, on November 4, 2025, an Oyo State High Court ordered the PDP and former National Chairman Umar Damagum to proceed with the Ibadan convention. The legal tug-of-war continued on November 11, 2025, when Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja restrained the party from holding the gathering. Ultimately, the PDP faction loyal to FCT Minister Nyesom Wike did not participate in the convention.
