- The PDP Board of Trustees dismissed the Federal High Court Ibadan ruling on the November 2025 national convention as academic
- The party filed a Notice of Appeal and Motion for Stay of Execution, ensuring the Turaki-led NWC remained legally in office
- Senator Adolphus Wabara reassured members that the PDP leadership remained intact and committed to stabilising the party ahead of the 2027 elections
The Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has dismissed the judgment of the Federal High Court in Ibadan concerning the party’s November 2025 national convention, describing it as academic and of no practical effect.
The statement, issued on Friday, January 30, and signed by the Chairman of the PDP Board of Trustees, Senator Adolphus Wabara, affirmed that the ruling does not affect the status of the Kabiru Tanimu Turaki-led National Working Committee (NWC). The BoT noted that the substantive matters in the case are already before the Court of Appeal.
“The Board of Trustees notes that the judgment is technically of no effect and, at best, academic, as the central and fundamental issues in the matter are already before the Court of Appeal,” the statement read.
The trustees also expressed concern that the court granted relief no party had requested. “It is, however, a matter of concern that the court, in declining the order of mandamus sought by our party, went beyond the boundaries to grant reliefs that were not prayed by any of the parties in the case,” the statement added.
In response to the judgment, the PDP has filed a Notice of Appeal along with a Motion for Stay of Execution, effectively placing the ruling in abeyance. The BoT confirmed that this legal action ensures the continued authority of the Turaki-led NWC, which was elected at the Ibadan convention.
“This puts the judgment of the Federal High Court, Ibadan, in abeyance and retains the Kabiru Tanimu Turaki-led National Working Committee, which was duly elected at the Ibadan Convention, legally and firmly on the saddle,” the statement said.
Senator Wabara assured party members and supporters that there was no cause for alarm, describing the BoT as the party's conscience and second-highest organ. “The Turaki-led NWC is securely in place,” he said.
The trustees reaffirmed their support for the current leadership as it works to reposition the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“The Board reaffirms its commitment and support for the Turaki-led NWC in its efforts to stabilise and strengthen the party on the path of victory ahead of the 2027 general elections,” the statement concluded.
The Federal High Court in Ibadan had previously voided the PDP national convention held on 15 and 16 November 2025 and restrained Turaki and others from acting as national officers of the party. Reacting to the ruling, Turaki described it as academic, noting it conflicted with subsisting orders of courts of coordinate jurisdiction, and reiterated that the NWC remains legally intact pending the final determination of the Court of Appeal.