FHC Judgment: Still No Cause for Alarm
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.
Signed:
Comrade Ini Ememobong, MNIPR
National Publicity Secretary
Peoples Democratic Party
30012026
Prior to the above press statement, the PDP National Chairman Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, SAN, had addressed the media on the Court judgment and the steps the party intended going forward.
Below is the text of his News Conference
Being the text of a Press Conference by the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, SAN, on the judgment of the Federal High Court, Ibadan
Gentlemen of the press,
We are aware of the judgment of the Federal High Court, Ibadan, delivered earlier today, which essentially declined to grant the order of mandamus sought, on the ground that granting same would, in the considered opinion of the court, amount to sitting on appeal over the judgments of courts of coordinate jurisdiction.
For clarity, we approached the court seeking an order of mandamus to compel the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognise the Ibadan Convention and to facilitate official party communications with the Commission. In the course of the proceedings, some former members of our party, who had earlier been expelled, applied to be joined and were so joined by the court. They filed processes urging the court not to grant our prayers, without more.
However, and most respectfully, the court proceeded suo motu to grant reliefs that were neither prayed for nor canvassed by any of the parties. More importantly, the judgment is in material conflict with subsisting orders and previous judgments of courts of coordinate jurisdiction.
Consequently, we have filed a Notice of Appeal as well as a Motion for Stay of Execution of the judgement, and we are determined to pursue this matter diligently and to its logical conclusion in accordance with the law.
For the avoidance of doubt, this judgment is only one among several decisions of the Federal High Court on this subject matter, and the core issues arising therefrom are already before the Court of Appeal. In that sense, this particular judgment is, technically speaking, academic, pending the authoritative pronouncement of the appellate courts.
Let me assure all members of our great party that, notwithstanding this judgment, the National Working Committee produced by the Ibadan Convention remains legally intact, firmly in place, and fully committed to the ongoing rebirth of the Peoples Democratic Party.
I therefore urge our members and supporters across the country to remain calm and resolute. There is absolutely no cause for alarm. The REBIRTH movement is steadily on course.
This judgment represents nothing more than the navigation of one of the judicial bends along our journey. The destination remains clear, and as history has consistently shown, it is the final outcome that ultimately matters.
Thank you, gentlemen of the press.
A similar statement by the PDP National chairman had also been released which reads
Earlier today, the Federal High Court in Ibadan delivered a judgment relating to the matter before it concerning the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
For clarity, our party approached the court to seek an order compelling INEC to recognise the Ibadan Convention and enable formal engagement with the Commission. During the proceedings, some former members—who had previously been expelled—were joined and opposed our application.
While we respect the court, it is important to state that the judgment declined our request on the basis that granting it would amount to sitting on appeal over decisions of courts of equal jurisdiction. More concerning, however, is that the court went further to grant reliefs that were not sought by any of the parties and which clearly conflict with existing judgments of courts of coordinate jurisdiction.
In line with due process and our firm belief in the rule of law, we have filed a Notice of Appeal and a Motion for Stay of Execution. We remain fully committed to pursuing this matter diligently and lawfully until a final determination is made.
It is also important to reassure our members and supporters that this judgment is only one of several decisions on the same subject, with the core issues already before the Court of Appeal.
In that context, this ruling is not final and remains subject to authoritative appellate review.
Let me be absolutely clear:
The National Working Committee produced by the Ibadan Convention remains legally intact, firmly in place, and fully focused on the ongoing rebirth and repositioning of our great party.
I urge all PDP members nationwide to remain calm, focused, and resolute. There is no cause for alarm. What we are witnessing is simply one of the legal bends on a long journey—and the destination remains clear.
The REBIRTH of the PDP is on course.
Dr Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, SAN
National Chairman, PDP
These statements had followed swiftly in the wake of a Federal Court ruling earlier in the day which nullified the November 15, 2025 PDP National Convention, held in Ibadan and also upheld the Caretaker Committee of the party headed by Alh. Abdulrahman Mohammed Takushara and Senator Sam Anyanwu respectively.
In a ruling delivered on Friday, January 30, 2026, Justice Uche Agomoh set aside all decisions taken at the convention and barred officials purportedly elected therefrom, including members of the Kabiru Turaki–led faction, from parading themselves as national officers of the party.
Presiding over the case, the court further declared that the party’s Caretaker Committee, led by Alhaji Abdulrahman Mohammed and Senator Samuel Anyanwu, remains the sole recognized National Working Committee (NWC) of the PDP. This status is to be maintained until a legally valid National Convention is conducted.
The suit filed by aggrieved members of the party, challenged the legitimacy of the November convention, citing alleged breaches of the party’s constitution and electoral guidelines.