The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) continues to swim in troubled political waters, even as the 2027 general election approaches
By Udoka Ekeleme, Abuja
The People’s Democratic Party (PDP), is facing critical times ahead of the 2027 general election. This is as a Federal High Court sitting in Ibadan has nullified its National Convention held in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, on November 15, 2025.
In a ruling on Friday, January 30, 2026, the presiding judge, Justice Uche Agomoh, barred members of the Tanimu Turaki-led National Working Committee (NWC), from parading themselves as national officers of the PDP.
Agomoh ruled that the November National Convention was organised in flagrant disregard for court orders, adding that the PDP cannot disobey court orders and still approach the court to seek judicial approval for actions taken against the orders.
According to the judge, PDP can only operate under a caretaker committee until a proper and lawful national convention is held.
A faction of the PDP NWC led by the national chairman, Turaki, filed a suit seeking the recognition of the National Convention and validating the NWC members elected during the event.
The Ibadan Convention produced 20 NWC members who were elected, including Turaki (National Chairman), Hamza Akuyan Koshe (Deputy National Chairman – North), Daniel Ambrose Woye (Deputy national Chairman-south), and Arapaja Taofeek Gbola-Oladejo (National Secretary).
Days before the Convention, conflicting court orders were issued for and against the exercise. On October 31, 2025, the Federal High Court in Abuja stopped the PDP from going ahead with the convention. Justice James Omotosho, the presiding judge, had held that evidence before the court showed that the party failed to hold valid state congresses before the planned national convention as stipulated in the 1999 Constitution, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) guidelines, as well as the PDP Constitution.
On November 4, 2025, an Oyo High Court ordered the PDP and Umar Damagum, the former National Chairman, to proceed with the National Convention fixed for November 15 in Ibadan.
Close to the day of the Convention, precisely on November 11, 2025, Justice Peter Lifu of the Abuja Federal High Court, restrained the party from holding the National Convention.
In reaction, the Turaki-led PDP said it would appeal the judgement of a Federal High Court sitting in Ibadan.
Delivering judgment on Friday, the court held that the Caretaker Committee led by Mohammed Abdulrahman and Senator Samuel Anyanwu remained the only recognised leadership of the PDP pending the conduct of a valid National Convention.
Reacting in a statement, the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Ini Ememobong, stated that despite the court judgement, there was no cause for alarm.
The statement read, “We are aware of the judgment of the Federal High Court, Ibadan, delivered this morning, which essentially declined to grant the order of mandamus sought on the ground that doing so would, in the court’s view, amount to sitting on appeal over judgments of courts of coordinate jurisdiction.
“We have accordingly briefed our lawyers to immediately file an appeal and to take all further legal steps necessary to advance our arguments and firmly protect our position on this matter.
“Notwithstanding this judgment, the Kabiru Turaki–led Peoples Democratic Party, which emerged from the Ibadan Convention, remains legally intact and unshaken, as we await the authoritative pronouncement of the appellate courts.
“We therefore urge our members to remain resolute and committed as there is absolutely no cause for alarm. The REBIRTH movement remains firmly on course.”
