Wike-backed PDP rejects Oyo court ruling validating November 2025 convention, calling it inconsequential and of no effect on INEC recognition
The National Caretaker Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) aligned with Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, on Friday rejected the recent judgment of the Oyo State High Court in Ibadan, describing it as inconsequential and of no binding effect.
Also read: Oyo Court Confirms Legitimacy of PDP 2025 National Convention
The PDP faction, led by Mohammed Abdulrahman and Senator Samuel Anyanwu, said the November 2025 convention remains invalid, emphasising that previous Federal High Court rulings barred the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from attending or recognising the exercise.
The statement, issued by the faction’s National Publicity Secretary, Jungudo Mohammed, followed the Oyo High Court’s validation of the November 15–16, 2025 convention, which had produced a National Working Committee under Kabiru Turaki.
Justice Ladiran Akintola granted all 13 reliefs sought by claimant Folahan Malomo Adelabi.
The Wike-backed faction insisted that the ruling does not bind INEC, which was neither joined nor represented in the suit.
The group argued that the Oyo court had earlier acknowledged INEC’s challenge to its jurisdiction and subsequently struck the commission’s name from the case.
“The judgment reportedly delivered by the Oyo State High Court is an inconsequential development and is best described as a mere academic exercise,” the statement read. “A judgment that does not bind INEC is of no consequence whatsoever as far as the issues at stake are concerned.”
The faction also reaffirmed its plans for a fresh National Convention to elect new PDP leaders, scheduled for March 29–30 in Abuja, assuring party members that arrangements for congresses and elections had reached an advanced stage.
The leadership dispute has seen repeated clashes between the Wike-aligned group and governors’ supporters who backed the Ibadan convention.
The police sealed the PDP National Secretariat following disorder on November 18, 2025, and both factions have sought recognition from INEC, which has yet to acknowledge either side.
Also read: Oyo Court Confirms Legitimacy of PDP 2025 National Convention
The Court of Appeal is currently reviewing consolidated cases relating to the PDP leadership crisis, with a ruling date to be communicated to the parties.
