Ibadan Convention Row: PDP faction rejects Appeal Court verdict, heads to Supreme Court

A faction of the Peoples Democratic Party led by Kabiru Turaki has rejected the judgment of the Court of Appeal of Nigeria which voided the party’s national convention held in Ibadan in November 2025.

The faction said it would challenge the judgment at the Supreme Court of Nigeria, describing the appellate court’s decision as one that could negatively affect members of the party across the country.

In a statement issued by the group’s spokesperson, Ini Ememobong, the faction confirmed that its legal team had been instructed to immediately begin the process of appealing the ruling.

The Court of Appeal had nullified the convention conducted on Nov. 15 and Nov. 16, 2025, in Ibadan, Oyo State, a decision that has further deepened the internal crisis within the opposition party.

Ememobong warned that enforcing the judgment without further legal review could create serious challenges for party members.

“The operationalisation of this judgment will, without fail, impose untold hardship on our members,” he said.

“To avert this, while we consult with critical organs of our party on the way forward, we have instructed our lawyers to immediately take the necessary legal steps to appeal to the Supreme Court, the apex court in the land, for a final determination of the matter.”

He expressed confidence that the Supreme Court would give a clear and timely verdict that would settle the dispute once and for all.

Ememobong also appealed to members of the party to remain calm and united while the legal process runs its course.

According to him, the PDP must be rescued “from the hands of those masquerading as opposition leaders.”

He assured supporters that the faction remained committed to protecting the party’s structure and restoring stability within its ranks.