The Supreme Court of Nigeria has dismissed an appeal filed by the National Working Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led by Taminu Turaki.
In a majority judgment delivered on Thursday, April 30, 2026, the apex court ruled that the party’s previous national convention was illegal.
This convention took place in Ibadan, Oyo State, on November 15 and 16, 2025. Justice Stephen Adah read the lead judgment for the court.
He explained that the exercise happened in defiance of an existing judgment from the Federal High Court.
Justice James Omotosho had originally delivered that ruling, which the party leadership chose to ignore.
The court berated the Turaki-led group for seeking an order from a different court of coordinate jurisdiction rather than filing a proper appeal.
Furthermore, the justices described this legal strategy as an abuse of court process. They warned that any litigant who does this acts at their own peril.
The dispute stems from a long-running leadership battle within Nigeria’s main opposition party. This crisis has split the party into two major camps.
One faction remains loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike. The other side follows the leadership of Taminu Turaki.
Violation Of Valid Court Injunctions
The legal battle began when former Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido, obtained an injunction to stop the convention.
Lamido wanted to contest for the position of National Chairman. He argued the party must allow him to run before holding any vote.
Despite this clear order, the PDP leadership proceeded with the Ibadan event. Both the trial court and the Court of Appeal later declared this act unlawful.
The Turaki group had asked the Supreme Court to set aside these lower court rulings. Their lawyer, Paul Erokoro (SAN), argued the convention was valid.
However, the respondents argued that the issue was about more than just internal party matters. They said it was about total disobedience to the law.
The Supreme Court agreed with this view. It held that political parties are the vehicles politicians use to reach public office.
Because of this role, parties have a duty to follow the rule of law. The court stated that once a party knows about an order, it must obey it.
“The conduct of the national convention of November 15, 2025, is null and void and is hereby nulled,” the court declared.
The justices also stated, “This court will not lend its machinery to any litigant who abuses the process of the court.”
Jurisdiction And The Minority Dissent
The decision was not unanimous among the five-man panel. Two justices provided a minority opinion on the matter.
Justice Haruna Samani read the minority judgment. He argued that deciding who runs a party is an internal affair.
He suggested that lower courts usually do not have the jurisdiction to interfere in such private party decisions.
Justice Abubakar Umar supported this view. He mentioned that only matters involving primary elections are typically justiciable in court.
However, both dissenting justices made it clear they did not support the act of disobeying court orders.
The majority ruling remains the final word. This judgment was supported by Justice Mohammed Garba and Justice Chidiebere Iheme.
The court ordered all parties to bear their own costs for the legal battle. This brings a definitive end to the legality of the Turaki leadership.
The PDP must now find a new legal path to organize a fresh convention that follows all standing court orders.
This development undoubtedly gives victory to the faction loyal to Nyesom Wike, who has been at the epicentre of the PDP internal crisis since he lost the presidential ticket in 2023.
The Turaki faction, led by Gov. Seyi Makinde of Oyo State now faces the challenge of uniting with the Wike faction, or decamping to another political party before the 2027 general elections.
Rate, Like 👍, Comment 💬, Share this article, Follow us on our social media handles, and Submit your own story to get featured and earn rewards!
WhatsApp Channel
Telegram Channel
