The Court of Appeal in Abuja on Monday upheld the decision of the Federal High Court invalidating the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) convention held in Ibadan, Oyo State, between 15 and 16 November 2025.
The judgment effectively bars the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising the results of the convention, including the election of Taminu Turaki as national chairperson of the party.
A three-member panel of the appellate court emphasised that the Federal High Court had proper jurisdiction to hear the case, rejecting arguments from the Turaki-led faction that the dispute was purely an internal party matter.
Delivering the lead judgment, Justice Uchechukwu Onyemenam said the appellants could not “repackage a clear violation of the party constitution and that of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as an internal party affair.”
The PDP convention, which also elected other members of the National Working Committee (NWC), had been mired in controversy even before it took place.
The gathering saw the suspension of several party officials aligned with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, due to alleged anti-party activities.
Among those suspended were National Secretary Samuel Anyanwu, National Legal Adviser Kamaldeen Ajibade, Deputy National Legal Adviser Okechukwu Osuoha, and National Organising Secretary Umaru Bature.
The legal challenges leading to the Court of Appeal decision stem from separate rulings last year by Federal High Court judges James
Omotosho and Peter Lifu in Abuja. Counter-decisions were also issued by the Oyo State High Court and the Federal High Court in Ibadan concerning the legitimacy of the convention.
Despite a restraining order preventing the event, the Turaki faction proceeded with the convention, producing Mr. Turaki and other national officers as leaders of the PDP.
The Turaki-led faction subsequently appealed to the Court of Appeal, challenging the Federal High Court’s authority to hear the case.
However, the appellate court unanimously dismissed the appeals and imposed a cost of N2 million on the appellants, including Mr. Turaki and other members of the NWC.
Justice Onyemenam explained that the suit filed by aggrieved PDP members was not about internal party disagreements but rather aimed at compelling INEC to fulfil its statutory responsibilities regarding party conventions.
The judge stated that the PDP convention failed to comply with essential legal requirements, including proper notification to INEC, which is mandated by law for all national party conventions.
Further, the appellate court noted that valid congresses had not been conducted in more than 14 states as required by law prior to the 2025 PDP convention.
This non-compliance reinforced the Federal High Court’s decision to restrain INEC from recognising the convention’s outcome.
“Non-compliance with the 1999 Constitution, the Electoral Act 2022, and the party constitution and guidelines are at the heart of democratic governance, and compliance must be strictly enforced in the interest of democracy,” Justice Onyemenam said.
The ruling underscores the judiciary’s role in enforcing both statutory and constitutional provisions in party politics, particularly regarding the PDP convention.
Political analysts note that the decision sets a precedent for ensuring that party leadership elections follow due process, protecting internal democracy within political parties and upholding the rule of law.
Legal experts also stressed that INEC’s involvement in overseeing and validating national conventions is a statutory requirement.
Any deviation from the Electoral Act 2022 or the party’s constitution may render the outcome of such conventions invalid, as confirmed by the appellate court.
By barring INEC from recognising the Turaki-led convention, the court has effectively nullified the leadership claimed by the faction, preserving the integrity of party governance structures.
The PDP convention controversy highlights broader challenges within Nigerian political parties, where internal disputes often escalate to judicial interventions.
Observers say the Court of Appeal’s ruling sends a clear message: political parties must adhere strictly to constitutional provisions and internal regulations before organising national conventions.
Failure to comply could result in legal invalidation and reputational damage, as seen in this case.
As a result of the ruling, the PDP leadership contest remains in legal and political limbo.
Members of the aggrieved faction have welcomed the decision, arguing that it upholds democratic principles and ensures that party activities are conducted transparently.
Meanwhile, the Turaki faction is expected to explore further legal options, but the appellate court’s firm stance signals a high threshold for overturning such rulings.
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