The Court of Appeal in Abuja has upheld a judgment that barred the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from validating the national convention it held in Ibadan, Oyo State.
In a unanimous decision on Monday, a three-member panel of the appellate court ruled that the party failed to meet statutory requirements before conducting the convention, which produced a factional leadership led by Taminu Turaki as National Chairman.
The appellate court affirmed the earlier ruling delivered on October 31, 2025, by Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, which had stopped the planned convention.
The court held that the trial court properly assumed jurisdiction in the matter because it involved compliance with provisions of the Electoral Act 2022 and the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria, as well as regulations guiding political parties.
According to the court, the PDP failed to conduct valid state congresses in 14 states before fixing the national convention. It ruled that delegates required to elect national officers could not emerge without the congresses being held.
The court also faulted the notice issued for the convention, noting that it was signed only by the party’s National Chairman and not jointly with the National Secretary, thereby rendering it invalid.
The suit that led to the judgment was filed by aggrieved party members, including Austin Nwachukwu, Amah Abraham Nnanna and Turnah Alabh George, who argued that the party failed to comply with required legal procedures.
The court had earlier restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising or publishing the outcome of the convention until the PDP complied with relevant laws and regulations.
Dismissing the appeal filed by the Turaki-led faction, the appellate court upheld the earlier judgment and awarded a cost of N2 million against the appellants.
