The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike-backed faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Friday rejected the judgment of an Oyo State High Court which upheld the party’s 2025 National Convention held in Ibadan, the state capital.
The faction described the ruling as inconsequential and a mere academic exercise, insisting that the November convention remained invalid.
However, the Tanimu Turaki-led National Working Committee, a product of the convention, hailed the judgment as a triumph for internal democracy and party cohesion, praising the court for its “bravery and commitment to upholding justice.”
Justice Ladiran Akintola of the Oyo State High Court, in a ruling delivered on Friday in Suit No I/1336/2025, affirmed the validity of the November 15 and 16, 2025 convention, which produced Turaki as substantive National Chairman.
The court upheld the amended originating summons filed by Musibau Adetunmbi, SAN, on behalf of the claimant, Folahan Malomo Adelabi, and granted all 13 reliefs sought.
It ruled that the convention complied with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution, the Electoral Act 2022 (as amended), and other relevant laws.
Justice Akintola also dismissed motions seeking a stay of proceedings and suspension of the ruling filed by Sunday Ibrahim, SAN, on behalf of Austin Nwachukwu and two others.
The court had earlier rejected their application for joinder, describing it as lacking merit.
Among the issues formulated for determination before the court was whether, having regard to the express provisions of Articles 33(7), 47(1) and (2) of the party’s constitution (as amended in 2017) and Section 223(2)(a) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the 1st to 3rd defendants were entitled, in any manner whatsoever, to truncate, frustrate, disrupt, prevent or stop the convention.
The court also considered whether it was not evident that the first defendant (PDP) had complied with all necessary requirements, including the issuance of the requisite statutory notice, for the conduct of the National Convention.
In granting the reliefs, the court declared that, by virtue of Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the defendants were under an obligation to ensure that the claimant’s right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association was not infringed.
It further declared that any failure to conduct and hold the convention would amount to an infringement of that constitutional right.
The court held that, pursuant to Sections 223(1)(a) and 223(2)(a) of the 1999 Constitution, Section 82(1) and (2)(a) of the Electoral Act 2022, and the notice issued to the Independent National Electoral Commission on August 29, 2025, all necessary modalities and conditions for the holding the convention had been duly satisfied, irrespective of whether INEC monitored the exercise or not.
In a consequential declaration, the court held that the convention convened on 15 and 16 November 2025 pursuant to its orders of November 3, 2025, and renewed on November 14, 2025, was legal and valid.
It ruled that, as INEC was a party at the time the interim orders were made and renewed, the outcome of the convention was binding on the commission and that it was obliged to give effect to all decisions reached thereat.
The court consequently directed INEC to continue to give perpetual effect to the outcome of the convention, pending any contrary pronouncement by a higher court.
Justice Akintola held that the convention, organised by the recognised leadership of the party, satisfied all laid-down legal requirements as stipulated in the 1999 Constitution and the Electoral Act.
The court said it found no breach of due process or statutory non-compliance in the conduct of the exercise.
But in a swift reaction, the Wike-backed National Caretaker Working Committee said the verdict lacked binding effect on the Independent National Electoral Commission.
In a statement issued on Friday by its National Publicity Secretary, Jungudo Mohammed, the faction insisted that the judgment could not stand.
“The judgment reportedly delivered by the Oyo State High Court is an inconsequential development and is best described as a mere academic exercise.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the said judgment does not bind the Independent National Electoral Commission as INEC was neither joined nor represented as a party in the suit,” the statement read.
The faction argued that INEC had already complied with earlier judgments of the Federal High Court in Abuja and Ibadan restraining the commission from attending, monitoring or recognising the outcome of the convention.
“A judgment that does not bind INEC is of no consequence whatsoever as far as the issues at stake are concerned,” it added, noting that arrangements for a fresh National Convention were at an advanced stage.
The PUNCH