The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) board of trustees (BoT), led by Adolphus Wabara, has rejected a Court of Appeal ruling that nullified the party’s national convention held on November 15–16, 2025, in Ibadan, Oyo State, where Kabiru Tanimu Turaki emerged as national chairman.
Gatekeepers News reports that the Wabara-led BoT made its stance known in a communiqué issued after an expanded emergency meeting in Abuja on Wednesday.
The appellate court had upheld a federal high court ruling restraining the PDP from holding the convention, citing the party’s failure to serve the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) with valid notice. The three-member panel also dismissed an appeal filed by the Turaki faction challenging the high court’s jurisdiction.
Uchechukwu Onyemenam, who delivered the lead judgement, said the lower court was correct in granting the order restraining INEC from recognizing the convention’s outcome.
In response, the Turaki faction rejected the ruling and instructed its lawyers to appeal to the Supreme Court. Spokesperson Ini Ememobong expressed hope that the apex court would “expeditiously settle this matter in the interest of democracy.”
‘Awaiting Advice of Our Lawyers’
Echoing this position, the Wabara-led BoT released an 11-point resolution rejecting the appeal court’s decision and said it is seeking legal guidance on the next steps.
“The BoT disagrees with the judgment of the Court of Appeal which pronounced an invalidation of the November 15 to 16, 2025 national convention that produced the Kabiru Tanimu Turaki-led National Working Committee of our party,” the communiqué stated.
The board described the leadership disputes and ensuing litigations as “avoidable” and “detrimental to the unity and smooth running of the PDP as the major opposition party in the country.”
However, the BoT said it would leverage the reconciliation window provided by the Ibadan division of the Court of Appeal. “The board is resolved to take immediate steps to reconcile all stakeholders, put an end to all disputes and restore the party to good political health, particularly to enable the PDP to field candidates in the 2027 general elections,” the statement added.
A special committee was constituted to interface with legal teams and stakeholders to foster reconciliation within the party. The board also praised the ongoing nationwide e-registration exercise, noting reports of daily registration “in their millions,” which it said reflects the party’s enduring popularity ahead of the 2027 elections.
The BoT commended the contributions of Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed for their dedication to the party and the nation’s well-being.
Pursuant to Section 32 of the PDP Constitution (amended 2017), the board also appointed Dr. Muazu Babangida Aliyu as secretary of the BoT. It urged Nigerians to remain hopeful, assuring that the party is working “hard in repositioning itself for the task of salvaging our nation from the stranglehold of the All Progressives Congress (APC).”
