PRESS STATEMENT
PDP WELCOMES OYO STATE HIGH COURT JUDGMENT
The Peoples Democratic Party has been informed of the judgment of the High Court of Oyo State, sitting in Ibadan, delivered by the Honourable Justice Ladiran Akintola. The court granted all the reliefs sought by the claimant, Folahan Malomo Adelabi, declaring the National Convention held in Ibadan as properly conducted and directing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognise and give full effect to all decisions and outcomes reached at the said convention, the same having been found to be proper and lawful.
The suit was filed by Musibau Adetunbi, SAN on behalf of his client, Folahan Malomo Adelabi, a card-carrying member of the party, to protect his constitutional right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association. The suit sought, among other reliefs, an order compelling the Peoples Democratic Party to conduct its elections as publicly advertised, and a further order directing INEC to honour the outcomes of the convention.
The Honourable Court had earlier granted an order to that effect on November 3, 2025, and renewed the same on November 14, 2025- the legal basis upon which the convention proceeded on November 15 and 16, 2025. This judgment affirms and gives final effect to those earlier orders.
The party welcomes this judgment as a vindication of both fact and law. It reaffirms the obvious fact that the Ibadan convention was conducted properly, transparently, and in full compliance with the party’s constitution and the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. We commend the Honourable Court for its courage and fidelity to justice.
We reaffirm our faith in the Nigerian judiciary as an independent arbiter and the last hope of the ordinary citizen. The party remains committed to pursuing all legitimate legal avenues to ensure that justice is fully served, and we are confident that the appellate courts will, in like manner, uphold the law without fear or favour, affection or ill will.
Signed:
Comrade Ini Ememobong, mnipr
National Publicity Secretary
Peoples Democratic Party
27022026
COURT DISMISSES CASE AGAINST PDP NAT. CONVENTION
Recall that a Federal High sitting in Ibadan, Oyo state, on Friday, 27 February, 2026, validated the 2025 PDP National Convention and dismissed an Application for Stay of Proceedings on the matter, even as it further directed INEC to recognize outcome of National Convention, forthwith.
In a landmark judgment the High Court sitting in Ibadan, presided over by Justice Ladiran Akintola, officially validated the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Convention held in Ibadan on November 15 and 16, 2025.
The presiding judge dismissed the application filed by Nwachukwu and others seeking a stay of proceedings, describing the move as an attempt to arrest judgment and stall the democratic will of the party’s members. In a decisive judgment, the court reaffirmed the legitimacy of the convention and its outcomes, effectively seeking to end months of legal uncertainty surrounding the party’s leadership.
Justice Akintola held that the Ibadan Convention was conducted in substantial compliance with both the party’s constitution and the Electoral Act.
Furthermore, the court:
• Dismissed application by Nwachukwu and others for a stay of proceedings, citing lack of merit.
• Ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to immediately give full effect to the results and the leadership that emerged from the Ibadan Convention.
The judgment emphasizes that the Party’s National Convention was duly convened and INEC having attended the 101st National Executive Committee meeting that convened the National Convention, the Commission is bound to recognize the outcome.
This judgment reinforces the Orders of November 13 and 15, 2025, which initially cleared the path for the elective convention. By dismissing the stay of proceedings, the court has cleared the legal hurdles that previously hampered the newly elected National Working Committee (NWC) from fully assuming their duties.
The court further noted that the stability of the nation’s main opposition party is central to the health of Nigeria’s democracy, and the will of the delegates expressed in Ibadan must be respected.
Today’s decision is being hailed by party supporters as a victory for the rule of law and internal democracy. Party leadership has called on all members, including the plaintiffs, to “sheathe their swords” and work together for the progress of the PDP.
What is now expected is for INEC to immediately, without any iota of delay recognize the Turaki-led NWC in line with the order of Court