The High Court’s decision in Ibadan today, which upheld the National Convention that put Tanimu Turaki and the National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in power, has made the party’s problems much worse.
The Tanimu-led NWC saw the ruling as a victory for both fact and law. On the other hand, the Nyesom Wike-backed faction of the party called it an unimportant event and an academic exercise that had no effect on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), according to Daily Independent.
The PDP, led by Turaki, praised the Honourable Court for its bravery and commitment to justice in a statement from its spokesman, Comrade Ini Ememobong. The party also said that it still believes in the Nigerian judiciary as an independent judge and the last hope for the average person.
The party also said that it is still dedicated to using all legal means to make sure that justice is properly served. It also said that it is sure that the appellate courts would do the same and uphold the law without fear or favor, love or hate.
The PDP statement issued by Turaki said, “The Peoples Democratic Party has been told about the decision of the High Court of Oyo State, which was made by the Honorable Justice Ladiran Akintola in Ibadan.” The court granted all of Folahan Malomo Adelabi’s requests for relief. It said that the National Convention held in Ibadan was done correctly and told the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognize and fully implement all decisions and outcomes made at the convention, which were also proper and legal.
Musibau Adetunbi, SAN, filed the lawsuit on behalf of his client, Folahan Malomo Adelabi, who is a card-carrying member of the party. The lawsuit was meant to safeguard Adelabi’s fundamental right to peacefully assemble and associate. The action asked for many things, including an order that the Peoples Democratic Party hold its elections as promised and another order that INEC honor the results of the convention.
The court had already given an order to that effect on November 3, 2025, and then repeated it on November 14, 2025. This was the legal basis for the convention to go forward on November 15 and 16, 2025. This decision confirms and makes final the earlier orders.
“The party welcomes this decision as proof of both reality and law. It confirms what everyone already knows: that the Ibadan convention was held in a fair, open, and legal way, in accordance with the party’s constitution and the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“We praise the Honourable Court for being brave and sticking to the law.
We still believe that the Nigerian courts are an independent judge and the last hope for the average person.
“The party is still committed to using all legal means to make sure that justice is fully served, and we are sure that the appellate courts will also uphold the law without fear or favor, affection or ill will.”
The PDP, which is backed by Wike, called the convention that brought Turaki-led NWC the “Amala Convention.” In a statement from its spokesman, Hon. Jungudo Haruna Mohammed, the PDP said that the Oyo State High Court’s decision was not important and was best described as a “Academic Exercise.”
“It is important to make it clear that the court that made today’s decision was the same court that earlier gave Mr. Damagum and his co-travelers permission to go ahead with their ‘Amala Convention’ on November 15 and 16, 2025, even though there were two valid Federal High Court judgments against them. So, this isn’t NEWS.
“To be clear, the verdict does not affect the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) because it was not a party to the suit or represented in it.
INEC questioned the Oyo State High Court’s jurisdiction, and the court later agreed with the judge’s finding and removed INEC’s name from the case.
“A decision that doesn’t bind INEC doesn’t matter at all when it comes to the issues at hand.”
“The judgment has no legal effect on the conduct, monitoring, or recognition of any party convention that is said to have taken place on November 15 and 16, 2026.”
The statement went on to say, “It is important to remember that INEC has already followed two existing Federal High Court judgments in Abuja that clearly told the Commission not to attend, monitor, or recognize the outcome of the supposed convention.” INEC has also followed the Federal High Court’s decision in Ibadan, which voided the convention and stopped Kabiru Turaki and his friends from pretending to be party leaders.
The party’s National Caretaker Working Committee wants to assure committed party members and the broader public that all plans for the congresses and National Convention are well underway.
“The party is still committed to the rule of law, due process, legality, and strengthening internal democracy.”
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