The Supreme Court on Wednesday reserved judgment in an appeal by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) challenging a lower court ruling that nullified its November 2025 national convention.
Justice Lawal Garba, who led a five-member panel, said the court would deliver judgment on a date to be communicated to the parties after lawyers adopted their final briefs.
The disputed convention was held Nov. 15–16, 2025, at Lekan Salami Stadium in Ibadan, Oyo State.
A faction led by former minister Tanimu Turaki urged the apex court to overturn the Court of Appeal’s decision, arguing the dispute is an internal party matter and not justiciable. “Due process was followed,” counsel to the faction said.
Lower courts had voided the convention, barred the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising its outcomes, and restricted access to the party’s national secretariat.
The rulings stem from suits filed by aggrieved members and a separate case by former Jigawa State governor Sule Lamido, who challenged his exclusion from the chairmanship race.
Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court earlier restrained the PDP from holding the convention, citing failure to conduct valid state congresses as required by law and party guidelines. Justice Peter Lifu also halted the exercise, ruling Lamido was unjustly denied the opportunity to contest.
The PDP is asking the Supreme Court to set aside the decisions and validate the convention’s outcome.
