UPDATED: Supreme Court Voids PDP Ibadan Convention

The Supreme Court on Thursday nullified the controversial national convention of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) held in Ibadan, Oyo State, on November 15 and 16, 2025, delivering a major blow to a faction of the party and further intensifying the leadership crisis threatening the opposition ahead of the 2027 general elections.

In a split judgment delivered by a five-member panel, the apex court upheld the concurrent decisions of the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal which had earlier invalidated the convention on grounds that it was conducted in violation of subsisting court orders.

Three members of the panel ruled that the appeal brought by the faction led by former Minister of Special Duties, Tanimu Turaki (SAN), lacked merit and amounted to a clear disregard for judicial authority.

Delivering the lead judgment in appeal number SC/CV/164/2026, Justice Stephen Adah held that organisers of the Ibadan convention proceeded with the exercise despite an existing order of the Federal High Court restraining them from doing so pending compliance with earlier directives relating to unresolved congress disputes and internal party procedures.

“The disobedience of the court order is not disputed,” Justice Adah stated, warning that the actions of the appellants represented “a threat to the administration of justice in Nigeria.”

The apex court consequently dismissed both the appeal and cross-appeals filed in the matter and directed all parties to bear their respective legal costs.

The legal battle stemmed from deep divisions within the PDP following disagreements over congresses conducted in several states and disputes surrounding the legitimacy of party structures ahead of the Ibadan convention.

Aggrieved members had approached the Federal High Court in Abuja, arguing that the organisers failed to comply with statutory provisions under the Electoral Act as well as the PDP constitution before convening the national gathering.

The trial court subsequently restrained the party from proceeding with the convention pending compliance with its directives. However, despite the order, the convention went ahead in Ibadan and produced a factional leadership structure, triggering multiple lawsuits and worsening internal tensions within the party.

In a strongly worded judgment, the Supreme Court condemned what it described as attempts by political actors to undermine judicial authority through conflicting court orders obtained from courts of coordinate jurisdiction.

Justice Adah observed that instead of appealing the Federal High Court order through lawful judicial channels, the appellants allegedly approached another High Court in Ibadan to secure orders that enabled them to proceed with the convention.

“The appellant did not go on appeal but went to another High Court where they secured orders overriding the existing order of the Federal High Court and carried on with the party convention,” the justice said.

The court described the conduct as “an unparalleled abuse of court process” that struck directly at the integrity of the justice system and constitutional governance.

Warning against continued disregard for judicial decisions by political actors, Justice Adah stressed that the rule of law remained the foundation of democratic governance and could not be treated as optional.

“The rule of law is not an ornamentality, revoked, destroyed or discarded in practice. It is the fundamental architecture on which the legitimacy of governance rests,” he stated.

He further noted that political parties, although voluntary associations, derive their authority and legal existence from the Constitution and are therefore subject to constitutional limitations and judicial oversight.

Relying on Sections 221, 222 and 229 of the 1999 Constitution, the apex court held that political parties remain constitutional institutions established for participation in governance and elections and must comply fully with lawful court orders.

The Supreme Court also affirmed the findings of the lower courts that the conduct of the Turaki-led faction amounted to abuse of court process following efforts to secure what was described as a counter-order from another court while an existing order remained in force.

The Court of Appeal had earlier, in its March 9 judgment, upheld the decision of the Federal High Court and ruled that the convention violated subsisting judicial directives and failed to comply with established legal procedures.

Dissatisfied with that outcome, the Turaki faction approached the Supreme Court seeking to overturn the lower court judgments and validate the Ibadan convention. However, the apex court dismissed the appeal in its entirety after reserving judgment on April 22 following arguments from all parties.

The judgment is expected to have far-reaching implications for the PDP’s internal power structure as the party struggles with growing factional disputes, leadership uncertainty, and strategic positioning ahead of the 2027 elections.

UPDATED: Supreme Court Voids PDP Ibadan Convention

David Mark Scores Legal Victory as Supreme Court Voids ADC Status Quo Order

The Supreme Court has nullified the controversial order that directed the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to maintain the status quo ante bellum in the party’s prolonged leadership crisis, ruling that the Court of Appeal exceeded its powers by issuing the directive after dismissing the substantive appeal before it.

In a unanimous judgment delivered by a five-member panel led by Justice Mohammed Lawal Garba, the apex court held that the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal acted without jurisdiction when it ordered all parties to maintain the existing situation despite already striking out the appeal filed by one of the rival factions within the party.

The Supreme Court described the order as “unnecessary, unwarranted and improper,” stressing that once the appellate court had dismissed the matter before it, it no longer possessed the authority to issue consequential directives affecting the internal affairs of the party.

The judgment followed an appeal filed by former Senate President Senator David Mark, who has been at the centre of the ADC leadership tussle alongside other party stakeholders. The apex court ruled in his favour in part, although it dismissed the aspect of the appeal challenging an earlier ex parte order of the Federal High Court relating to substituted service of court documents on parties involved in the dispute.

Despite voiding the Appeal Court’s directive, the Supreme Court ordered all parties to return to the Federal High Court for continuation of proceedings on the substantive suit filed by aggrieved members of the party challenging aspects of the ADC leadership structure and congress processes.

The ruling is expected to significantly affect the internal balance of power within the ADC and may influence the position earlier taken by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) regarding the party’s recognised leadership.

On April 1, INEC removed the names of Senator David Mark and former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola from its official portal as the National Chairman and National Secretary of the ADC, respectively. The commission had said the decision was based on the Court of Appeal judgment and the order directing parties to maintain the status quo ante bellum pending the resolution of the dispute.

INEC subsequently announced that it would not recognise any faction of the party until the legal battle was conclusively determined by the courts.

Political observers say the latest Supreme Court ruling weakens the legal basis upon which the electoral commission relied in freezing recognition of the rival camps, although the final determination of the substantive leadership dispute still rests with the Federal High Court.

The ADC has in recent months faced deep internal divisions involving competing claims to leadership positions, disagreements over party administration, and legal battles over the control of party structures ahead of future political alignments and elections.

The Supreme Court’s intervention is expected to reshape the next phase of the dispute as the factions return to the lower court for full hearing of the matter.

David Mark Scores Legal Victory as Supreme Court Voids ADC Status Quo Order

Lagos 2027: JANDOR Steps Down, Aligns with APC Leadership Decision

A former governorship aspirant under the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State, Abdul-Azeez Olajide Adediran, popularly known as JANDOR, has announced his withdrawal from the 2027 governorship race, citing the need to preserve party unity and align with the position of party leadership.

In a statement issued on Thursday, Adediran explained that his earlier decision to obtain the party’s Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms was driven by wide consultations and a strong desire to contribute to the development of Lagos State. However, he said recent political developments within the APC made it necessary for him to reconsider his ambition.

He identified the endorsement of Obafemi Hamzat by Bola Ahmed Tinubu and other key stakeholders in Lagos APC as a decisive factor influencing his decision to step down from the race.

According to him, the move should not be interpreted as a sign of weakness but rather as an act of discipline and commitment to the collective interest of the party.

“This decision is not borne out of weakness or lack of capacity, but out of strength, discipline, and respect for party unity,” he stated.

Adediran reaffirmed his loyalty to the APC and pledged continued support for President Tinubu, whom he described as a stabilising force for both the party and the country. He also declared full alignment with the President’s stance on the Lagos governorship succession process, emphasizing the importance of party supremacy and strategic consensus.

Addressing members of the Lagos4Lagos Movement, Adediran expressed appreciation for their steadfast support, noting that the group remains committed to inclusivity and reform rather than personal ambition.

He urged his supporters and political stakeholders across the state to remain calm and focused on the broader objectives of the party, stressing that political engagement is a continuous process.

“To our supporters across Lagos, your loyalty has been deeply appreciated. I do not take it for granted,” he said.

Adediran concluded by reiterating his commitment to the progress of Lagos State and the APC, calling for unity and collective focus as preparations for the 2027 general elections gather momentum.

Lagos 2027: JANDOR Steps Down, Aligns with APC Leadership Decision