Chidinma Iroegbu
The Court of Appeal in Abuja yesterday upheld the nullification of the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) November 15–16, 2025 national convention in Ibadan. The ruling cited violations of the 1999 Constitution, the Electoral Act 2022, and the party’s internal guidelines.
Justice Uchechukwu Onyemenam, leading a three-member panel, affirmed the October 31, 2025 judgment of the Federal High Court. The court restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising the outcome of the convention.
The court noted that the PDP failed to conduct valid congresses in more than 14 states before the convention. It also did not serve INEC with proper notice as required by law.
“Having failed to comply with the relevant laws, the Federal High Court was right in granting a restraining order against INEC,” the court ruled. “Compliance must be strictly enforced in the interest of democracy.”
The Turaki-led National Working Committee (NWC) rejected the verdict. Spokesperson Ini Ememobong said the party would appeal to the Supreme Court.
“The operationalisation of this judgment will cause untold hardship for our members,” Ememobong said. “We hope the apex court will expeditiously settle this matter in the interest of democracy.”
Tension marked the court proceedings as Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed reportedly left before the hearing ended. The faction aligned with Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, secured the first appeal victory.
Usman Okai of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) called on PDP leaders, including Governor Seyi Makinde, to join the ADC ahead of ward congresses. He warned that candidates from an invalid convention risk disqualification.
The leadership crisis has triggered defections. Since April 2025, governors including Sheriff Oborevwori, Umo Eno, Peter Mbah, Douye Diri, and Siminalayi Fubara moved to the APC. Three more defected in January 2026, while Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke joined the Accord Party in December 2025.
INEC’s timetable sets the presidential and National Assembly elections for January 16, 2027, and governorship and state assembly polls for February 6, 2027. Party primaries must hold between April 23 and May 30, 2026, while membership registers are due April 1–21, 2026.
Reacting, Wike said the judgment underscores the rule of law. He urged PDP members to rebuild unity and prepare for a fresh convention on March 29–30, 2026, at the Velodrome of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja to elect new national officers.