The faction of the Peoples Democratic Party aligned with Ibrahim Turaki has suffered a major setback following a Supreme Court ruling that nullified the party’s national convention held in Ibadan, Oyo State, on November 15 and 16, 2025.
In its judgement, the Supreme Court of Nigeria declared the exercise invalid, effectively voiding decisions and leadership outcomes that emerged from the disputed convention and describing the conduct of the exercise as “null and void.”
Delivering the lead majority judgement, Justice Stephen Adah, supported by Justices Garba Lawal and Chidiebere Nwosu Iheme, held that political parties are bound to obey court orders and must operate within the confines of the rule of law.
The court stated that once a party is aware of a valid court order, compliance is mandatory, warning that it would not “lend its machinery to any litigant who abuses the process of the court.”
The apex court faulted the PDP faction for proceeding with the convention despite a restraining order issued by Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, which had barred the party from holding the event.
According to the court, the appellants not only disobeyed the order but also engaged in “gross abuse of court process” by obtaining a conflicting order from a court of coordinate jurisdiction to proceed with the convention while simultaneously challenging the jurisdiction of the lower court.
“This appeal is lacking in merit and is hereby dismissed. Parties will bear their own costs,” the court ruled.
Justice Nwosu-Iheme, in the lead judgement, further criticised reliance on a separate ruling from the Oyo State High Court, describing it as “forum shopping” and “disgraceful,” and cautioning judicial officers against enabling such practices.
The court held that the convention conducted in Ibadan was a direct violation of an existing judicial order and therefore void ab initio.
However, the decision was not unanimous.
In a minority judgement delivered by Justice Haruna Samani and supported by Justice Abubakar Umar, the justices held that the internal affairs of a political party fall within its exclusive domain and are generally not justiciable, except in specific circumstances such as primary elections.
Justice Umar maintained that the lower court lacked jurisdiction from the outset, arguing that the matter ought not to have been entertained. He consequently held that the appeal should succeed and the decision of the lower court set aside.
While the minority judgement acknowledged that disobedience of court orders is condemnable, it insisted that jurisdiction remains the “live wire of any case” and must be established before judicial intervention.
The Supreme Court’s ruling, delivered by a 3–2 majority, is expected to deepen the leadership crisis within the PDP faction, as it invalidates the convention that produced its disputed national structure and reinforces the binding nature of judicial orders on political actors.