By Sandra Ugwu | April 30, 2026

The Supreme Court of Nigeria has nullified the national convention of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) held in Ibadan, Oyo State, declaring it unlawful and in violation of a subsisting court order.

In a majority judgment delivered on Thursday, Justice Stephen Adah held that the convention, which took place on November 15 and 16, 2025, was conducted in defiance of an earlier ruling by the Federal High Court presided over by Justice James Omotosho.

The apex court also dismissed an appeal filed by the Taminu Turaki-led faction of the PDP’s National Working Committee, describing the move to approach a court of coordinate jurisdiction instead of appealing the initial ruling as an abuse of court process.

“This court will not lend its machinery to any litigant who abuses the process of the court. This appeal is lacking in merit and is hereby dismissed,” Justice Adah ruled, adding that parties would bear their own costs.

The appellants, represented by Senior Advocate of Nigeria Paul Erokoro, had urged the court to overturn the judgment of the Court of Appeal, which earlier voided the convention. They also sought the dismissal of a cross-appeal filed by a rival faction aligned with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

However, the respondents, including former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido, argued that the issue went beyond internal party affairs and centered on the disobedience of a valid court order.

Lamido had previously secured an injunction restraining the PDP from holding the convention until he was allowed to contest for the position of national chairman. Despite the order, the party proceeded with the exercise—an action subsequently declared unlawful by both the trial court and the appellate court.

Reinforcing its position, the Supreme Court emphasized that political parties, as vehicles for attaining public office, must operate within the bounds of the law.

“Once a party is aware of a court order, it is bound to obey it,” the court stated, stressing the primacy of the rule of law.

“The conduct of the national convention of November 15, 2025, is null and void and is hereby nulled,” the court declared.

In a dissenting opinion, Justice Haruna Samani argued that issues concerning party leadership fall within internal party affairs and are not justiciable. This position was supported by Justice Abubakar Umar, who referenced earlier Supreme Court decisions limiting judicial interference in party matters outside primary elections.

Both dissenting justices, however, maintained that disobedience to court orders cannot be condoned.

The lead judgment was supported by Justices Mohammed Garba and Chidiebere Iheme.