Appeal court dismisses PDP challenge to ruling on Ibadan convention

The Court of Appeal in Abuja on Monday dismissed an appeal by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) challenging a Federal High Court judgment that restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising the outcome of the party’s planned national convention in Ibadan, Oyo state.

In a unanimous judgment, a three-member panel of the appellate court held that the appeal lacked merit and upheld the 31 October ruling delivered by Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja.

The appellate court resolved the four issues raised for determination against the PDP and affirmed that the trial court was right to assume jurisdiction and grant the reliefs sought by the plaintiffs.

The court also rejected the PDP’s argument that the Federal High Court lacked jurisdiction on the basis that the dispute concerned the internal affairs of the party.

According to the appellate court, the plaintiffs had the locus standi to institute the suit to protect their democratic rights, and the PDP was not denied fair hearing as claimed in its appeal.

The court subsequently awarded costs of ₦2m against the PDP faction linked to Kabiru Tanimu Turaki for filing what it described as a frivolous appeal.

Leaders from opposing factions of the party were present in court as the judgment was delivered.

Among those sighted by reporters were a group led by Kabiru Tanimu Turaki and another led by Abdulrahman Mohammed. The national secretary of the Mohammed-led national working committee, Samuel Anyanwu, was also seen exchanging pleasantries with Turaki.

Justice Omotosho had in October 2025 ruled in favour of three aggrieved PDP members who challenged the planned national convention scheduled for 15 and 16 November 2025 in Ibadan, where new national officers were expected to be elected.

In his judgment, the judge restrained INEC from accepting any report on the outcome of the convention unless it complied with the provisions of the party’s constitution, the Electoral Act and relevant guidelines.

He held that INEC was not entitled to recognise the outcome of any convention conducted in violation of those legal requirements.

The plaintiffs had argued that the planned convention breached the party’s constitution and therefore sought an order preventing the electoral commission from recognising its outcome.

The defendants in the suit included INEC, the PDP, the party’s national secretary Samuel Anyanwu, national organising secretary Umar Bature, the party’s national working committee (NWC) and national executive committee (NEC), acting national chairman Umar Iliya Damagum, as well as Ali Odefa and Emmanuel Ogidi.

Further rulings relating to the party’s dispute are expected to be heard by the court.