In a landmark ruling delivered on Friday, February 27, 2026, Justice Ladiran Akintola of the Oyo State High Court, Ibadan, has upheld the validity of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Elective Convention held on November 15-16, 2025, which produced Dr. Kabiru Tanimu Turaki as the substantive National Chairman of the party.
The judgment was given in Suit No. I/1336/2025, filed by Folahan Malomo Adelabi through his counsel Musibau Adetunmbi (SAN). The court granted all 13 reliefs sought by the claimant and dismissed counter-motions filed by Sunday Ibrahim (SAN) on behalf of Austin Nwachukwu and two others, including applications for stay of proceedings, suspension of the ruling, and joinder (which the judge described as “lacking merit”).
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The court made the following far-reaching declarations and orders: A Declaration that the National Convention, when convened, shall be deemed to have been properly convened, and its outcome is binding on all authorities and persons that have a duty to relate with the claimant.
A Consequential Declaration that the National Convention conveyed by the 1st Defendant on 15th and 16th November 2025, pursuant to the Order of this Honourable Court made on 3rd November 2025 and renewed finally on 14th November 2025, is legal and valid.
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In view of the fact that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was a party when the said interim Order was made and renewed, the outcome is binding on INEC and INEC is liable to give effect to every outcome of the said Convention.
A consequential Order directing INEC to continue to give effect to the outcome of the said Convention perpetually, pending such time when any higher court may speak to the contrary.
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The ruling effectively affirms the Turaki-led National Working Committee (NWC) as the authentic and legally recognised leadership of the PDP. It strengthens the position of the faction aligned with former Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike and Acting National Chairman Umar Iliya Damagum (who has been operating under Turaki’s mandate). The decision deals a major blow to the rival faction loyal to suspended former Chairman Iyorchia Ayu and the parallel caretaker committee led by Kabiru Tanimu Turaki’s opponents and INEC is now legally obligated to recognise and deal only with the Turaki-led NWC in all official matters, including party primaries, congresses, candidate nominations and national convention preparations ahead of 2027.
The judgment comes amid ongoing preparations for the PDP National Convention (now scheduled for March 27–28, 2026) and the party’s efforts to present a united front against the ruling APC in 2027.
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This is a developing story. An appeal is widely expected.
DDNewsOnline – Lagos
By Ogungbayi Beedee Adeyemi
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