PDP Leadership Reaffirms Control Amid Ibadan Court Ruling

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has moved swiftly to reassure members and the public that its national leadership remains intact, following a Federal High Court judgment in Ibadan, Oyo State, that touched on the party’s National Convention held on November 15–16, 2025.

In separate statements, the party’s Board of Trustees (BoT) and the Forum of PDP State Chairmen emphasized that the ruling does not unsettle the Kabiru Tanimu Turaki-led National Working Committee (NWC), noting that the key issues are already before the Court of Appeal.

BoT Statement
Senator Adolphus Wabara, speaking for the BoT, described the Ibadan judgment as technically of no effect, saying it is “at best, academic” because the substantive issues are under appeal. While the court declined the order of mandamus sought by the party, it also granted reliefs that were not requested by any party involved, which the BoT described as concerning.

“The PDP has already filed an appeal and a motion for stay of execution, effectively placing the judgment on hold and preserving the authority of the Turaki-led NWC,” Wabara stated. He reassured members that the BoT, as the party’s conscience and second-highest organ, confirms that there is no leadership vacuum and that the NWC remains firmly in place.

State Chairmen’s Statement
Echoing the BoT, the Forum of PDP State Chairmen, representing 30 states, expressed full loyalty to the Turaki-led NWC. Chairman Hon. Tony Aziegbemi and Secretary Chief Edward Masha criticized the court for granting reliefs not sought and noted that the judgment conflicts with previous rulings of courts of coordinate jurisdiction.

They stressed that the party’s appeal and motions for stay of execution ensure continuity of leadership and functional operations nationwide. “For the avoidance of doubt, the National Working Committee produced by the Ibadan Convention remains the lawful, recognised, and operational leadership of our Party,” the forum affirmed.

The state chairmen urged calm, framing the judgment as a routine judicial step rather than a final determination, and reaffirmed their commitment to supporting the Turaki-led NWC as PDP positions itself for the 2027 general elections.