The Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has dismissed the judgment of the Federal High Court sitting in Ibadan on the party’s November 2025 national convention, describing it as “academic and of no practical effect,” even as another faction of the party welcomed the ruling as a victory for the rule of law.
The differing reactions were contained in separate statements issued on Friday. The BoT’s position was signed by its Chairman, Senator Adolphus Wabara, while the opposing view was expressed by Jungude Mohammed, National Publicity Secretary of the PDP National Caretaker Working Committee.
In its statement, the BoT said the judgment had no binding effect, arguing that the substantive issues in the matter are already before the Court of Appeal. The trustees expressed concern that the Federal High Court, Ibadan, declined to grant the order of mandamus sought by the party but proceeded to issue reliefs that were not requested by any of the parties.
According to the BoT, this development effectively places the judgment in abeyance and leaves the Kabiru Tanimu Turaki-led National Working Committee (NWC), which emerged from the Ibadan convention, legally in charge of the party’s affairs. The BoT assured PDP members and supporters that there was no cause for alarm, stressing that it remains the conscience and second-highest organ of the party.
“The Turaki-led NWC is securely in place,” the statement said, reaffirming the board’s commitment and support for the leadership as it works to stabilize and strengthen the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In contrast, the PDP National Caretaker Working Committee said the court judgment restrained Turaki and others from parading themselves as members of the PDP National Working Committee and recognized the Abdulrahman Mohammed-led Caretaker Committee.
Mohammed described the ruling, which nullified the Ibadan convention held on November 15 and 16, 2025, as a decisive affirmation of the rule of law. He said the judgment underscored the principle that legitimacy derives from adherence to the party’s constitution, existing laws, and valid court orders, rather than self-help.
He congratulated PDP members and supporters for their patience and faith in due process throughout the dispute and called for calm, unity, and reconciliation within the party. Mohammed said the committee remained open to genuine reconciliation and integration, noting that the ruling would help strengthen unity, deepen cohesion, and refocus efforts toward building a more formidable PDP.
