DDM NEWS reports that Nigeria’s political landscape received a decisive legal clarification on Friday as the Oyo State High Court sitting in Ibadan delivered a far-reaching judgment affirming the validity of the 2025 National Elective Convention of the Peoples Democratic Party, the convention that produced Dr. Kabiru Turaki as the party’s substantive National Chairman. The ruling has effectively put to rest months of internal disputes, counter-claims, and legal challenges that had cast a shadow over the legitimacy of the party’s national leadership and threatened to deepen divisions within one of Nigeria’s major opposition platforms.
In a comprehensive decision delivered by Justice Ladiran Akintola, the court held that the Ibadan convention was properly convened and conducted in full compliance with the relevant constitutional and statutory provisions governing political party activities in Nigeria. The judge ruled that the processes leading to the election of the party’s national leadership met the requirements laid down in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Electoral Act 2022 as amended, and the Electoral Act 2026. According to the court, the convention satisfied every legal threshold for validity, leaving no room for ambiguity regarding the authority of the leadership that emerged from the exercise.
The judgment followed an amended originating summons filed by Misibau Adetunmbi, SAN, on behalf of the claimant, Folahan Malomo Adelabi, in Suit No. I/1336/2025. The claimant had approached the court seeking judicial confirmation that the convention was lawful and that the leadership elected at the gathering was validly constituted. After reviewing the submissions, exhibits, and arguments presented by the parties, the court granted all 13 reliefs sought by the claimant, thereby endorsing the convention in its entirety. Legal analysts have described the breadth of the reliefs granted as a strong signal that the court found no procedural defects or statutory violations in the organisation and conduct of the convention.
Justice Akintola’s ruling emphasized that political parties, while autonomous in managing their internal affairs, are bound by the provisions of the law and their own constitutions. In this instance, the court found that the recognised leadership of the party adhered to due process in convening the Ibadan convention, from the issuance of notices to delegates to the conduct of elections and the announcement of results. The court noted that the absence of any credible evidence of irregularities or statutory non-compliance weighed heavily in favour of upholding the exercise. This finding is likely to strengthen the position of the party’s national leadership in future legal and political engagements.
DDM NEWS gathered that the judgment also addressed procedural attempts by opposing parties to stall or derail the proceedings. The court dismissed a Motion on Notice filed by Sunday Ibrahim, SAN, on behalf of Austin Nwachukwu and two others, which sought a stay of proceedings and the suspension of the court’s ruling. Justice Akintola described the application as lacking merit, adding that it failed to meet the legal standards required to justify such extraordinary reliefs. By dismissing the motion, the court effectively cleared the path for the immediate enforcement of its judgment and forestalled any attempt to keep the leadership dispute alive through procedural delays.
Earlier in the proceedings, the court had also rejected an application by the same counsel seeking to have his clients joined in the suit. Justice Akintola ruled that the joinder application was unsubstantiated and did not meet the threshold for inclusion in the matter. The dismissal of the joinder bid underscored the court’s view that the applicants had not demonstrated a sufficient legal interest that would warrant their participation in the case. This procedural clarity narrowed the scope of the dispute and allowed the court to focus squarely on the substantive question of the convention’s validity.
The legal victory is widely seen as a turning point for the party’s internal stability. In recent months, rival factions had sought to challenge the legitimacy of the Ibadan convention, raising questions about the authority of the national leadership and the direction of the party ahead of upcoming electoral cycles. With the court’s ruling, those challenges have lost their legal footing, providing the leadership with judicial backing to proceed with organisational reforms, strategic planning, and preparations for future elections. Party insiders believe the judgment will embolden the leadership to pursue reconciliation efforts and reassert discipline within the ranks.
Political observers note that the ruling also carries broader implications for intra-party democracy in Nigeria. By affirming that internal party conventions must adhere strictly to constitutional and statutory provisions, the court has reinforced the principle that political parties are not above the law. The judgment sends a message that internal disputes, when brought before the courts, will be subjected to rigorous legal scrutiny, and that only processes that comply with established legal frameworks will be upheld. This could encourage political actors to pay closer attention to due process in organising party congresses and conventions, thereby reducing the incidence of protracted legal battles that often weaken party cohesion.
DDM NEWS understands that the affirmation of the Ibadan convention is likely to have immediate political consequences, particularly in shaping the party’s posture as it positions itself for future national contests. With the leadership question settled by the court, attention is expected to shift toward rebuilding unity, strengthening grassroots structures, and refining policy positions to appeal to a broad spectrum of voters. The leadership, now armed with judicial validation, is expected to move swiftly to consolidate its authority and rally party stakeholders behind a common agenda.
As the dust settles on the legal dispute, the Ibadan judgment stands as a reminder of the judiciary’s role in stabilising Nigeria’s democratic institutions. By resolving the leadership question through a clear and comprehensive ruling, the court has helped avert a prolonged internal crisis that could have undermined the party’s effectiveness as an opposition force. For members and supporters, the decision offers a pathway to renewed focus on political mobilisation and constructive engagement in the nation’s democratic process, while for the wider political community, it underscores the enduring importance of the rule of law in mediating political contestation.
