Ibadan, Oyo State — February 27, 2026
An Oyo State High Court sitting in Ibadan has delivered a landmark ruling affirming the legality of the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) National Convention held in the city on November 15 and 16, 2025, a development set to reshape the internal power struggle within Nigeria’s main opposition party.
Justice Ladiran Akintola of Court 5 ruled on Friday that the convention was conducted in full compliance with all relevant statutory, constitutional, and party guidelines, dismissing legal challenges that sought to derail the process.
In the ruling, the judge granted all 13 reliefs sought by the claimant, Folahan Malomo Adelabi, who had approached the court through his counsel, Musbau Adetunmbi (SAN), challenging the legitimacy of the exercise.
The court held that the convention, which produced Dr. Kabiru Turaki as the substantive National Chairman of the PDP and ushered in a new National Working Committee (NWC), satisfied all legal and constitutional requirements under the 1999 Constitution and the Electoral Act.
Justice Akintola also dismissed motions attempting to stay proceedings or join additional parties to the case, describing them as lacking merit, and reaffirmed that no breach of due process or internal party rules occurred during the convention.
Stakeholders in the party have welcomed the judgment as a significant affirmation of internal democracy and judicial independence, noting that it brings clarity to a dispute that has divided the PDP for months.
With the court decision now delivered, the leadership elected at the Ibadan convention is expected to proceed with party affairs and preparations ahead of future elections, though opposition factions have signalled plans to appeal.