Supreme Court voids PDP Ibadan convention, striking down executives led by Tanimu Turaki ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections
Nigeria’s Supreme Court has nullified the national convention of the Peoples Democratic Party held in Ibadan, Oyo State, on November 15 and 16, 2025, in a ruling delivered on Thursday, April 30, 2026.
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The judgment invalidates the convention that produced the Tanimu Turaki, SAN-led factional national executives of the opposition party.
In a majority decision, Justice Stephen Jona Adah held that the conduct of the convention amounted to disobedience of valid court orders, describing the action as unacceptable in a constitutional democracy governed by the rule of law.
The court stressed that ignoring judicial directives undermines democratic processes and cannot be allowed to stand.
However, dissenting justices Haruna Tsanami and Abubakar Sadiq Umar held a minority view, arguing that the matter was an internal party affair that should not have been subjected to judicial intervention.
The case originated from a suit filed by former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido, who alleged that he was denied access to nomination forms to participate in the disputed convention.
Earlier rulings from the Federal High Court had restrained the PDP from proceeding with the convention, citing breaches of its constitution and failure to comply with due process.
Despite the court order, the party proceeded with the exercise, prompting further legal challenges.
The Court of Appeal later upheld the Federal High Court’s decision, ruling that the convention violated subsisting judicial pronouncements and that its outcomes could not be recognised.
Dissatisfied with the lower court rulings, the Tanimu Turaki-led faction approached the Supreme Court seeking to overturn the decisions and validate the convention and its leadership structure.
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The latest ruling effectively reshapes the internal leadership structure of the PDP and is expected to have significant implications for the party’s organisation ahead of the 2027 general elections.
