The Oyo State High Court has affirmed the legality of the 2025 elective National Convention of the Peoples Democratic Party held in Ibadan, which produced Dr Kabiru Turaki as the party’s substantive National Chairman.
In a judgment delivered on Friday, Justice Ladiran Akintola upheld the convention in its entirety, ruling that it was conducted in substantial compliance with constitutional provisions, the Electoral Act and the party’s guidelines.
The decision followed an amended originating summons filed in Suit No. I/1336/2025 by Misibau Adetunmbi (SAN), counsel to the claimant, Folahan Malomo Adelabi.
The court granted all 13 reliefs sought, effectively validating the processes that culminated in the November 15 and 16, 2025 convention in Ibadan.
Justice Akintola held that the defendants lacked the legal basis to truncate or frustrate the conduct of the elective convention, having regard to Articles 33(7), 47(1) and (2) of the party’s constitution (as amended in 2017) and Section 223(2)(a) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
The court further examined whether statutory notice was duly issued and whether other procedural requirements were met before the convention was convened.
Relying on Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution, the judge declared that the claimant’s right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association could not be infringed, stressing that failure to conduct the convention would amount to a violation of that right.
The court ruled that pursuant to Sections 223(1)(a) and 223(2)(a) of the Constitution and Section 82(1) and (2)(a) of the Electoral Act 2022, the party fulfilled all necessary conditions for the convention, including the issuance of notice to the Independent National Electoral Commission on August 29, 2025.
Justice Akintola held that irrespective of whether INEC monitored the exercise, the party satisfied the mandatory requirements for holding its National Convention.
The court also declared that by the combined effect of Section 223 of the Constitution, Article 33(7) of the party’s constitution and the approved guidelines for party congresses and national convention effective May 1, 2024, the party was under an obligation to conduct the convention for the democratic election of its principal officers.
According to the judgment, following the expiration of the nomination period, the defendants were bound to convene the convention as scheduled, and once properly convened, its outcome would be binding on all relevant authorities and persons.
In a consequential order, the court affirmed that the National Convention held on November 15 and 16, 2025, pursuant to earlier court orders of November 3 and renewed on November 14, was legal and valid.
The judge noted that INEC was a party at the time the interim orders were granted and renewed, adding that the commission is bound to give effect to the outcome of the convention pending any contrary decision by a higher court.
Justice Akintola found no evidence of breach of due process or statutory non-compliance in the conduct of the convention, describing it as having satisfied all legal requirements.
In the same proceedings, the court dismissed a Motion on Notice seeking a stay of proceedings and suspension of the ruling filed by Sunday Ibrahim (SAN) on behalf of Austin Nwachukwu and two others, holding that the applications lacked merit.
An earlier application by the same counsel seeking joinder of his clients in the suit was also dismissed for being unsubstantiated.
The ruling is expected to strengthen the position of the party’s national leadership amid lingering internal disputes over the legitimacy of the Ibadan convention.
‘
‘Do you want to share a story with us? Do you want to advertise with us? Do you need publicity for a product, service, or event? Contact us on WhatsApp +2348183319097 Email: platformtimes@gmail.com
We are committed to impactful investigative journalism for human interest and social justice. Your donation will help us tell more stories. Kindly donate any amount HERE
Leave a comment