* It is an inconsequential development, Wike’s NCWC
* We are vindicated in fact and in law, by Turaki’s loyalists
By Lateef Ibrahim, Abuja
The Hon. Abdulrahman Mohammed/Senator Samuel Anyawu-led National Caretaker Working Committee (NCWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, which was recently recognized by a Federal High Court, FHC, in Ibadan, Oyo State capital, as the authentic party (PDP) has described Friday’s judgement of a High Court in Oyo State, which upheld the outcome of November 15 and 16 last year’s elective national convention of the party held in Ibadan as an academic exercise that has no effect on the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.
However, those in the camp of Turaki, who was elected as the party’s national chairman at the its national convention in Ibadan last year, (before the FHC judgement that threw spanner into the outcome of the convention), described Friday’s judgement of the High Court of Oyo State as a vindication of both fact and law.
The Friday’s judgment of the High Court of Oyo State, sitting in Ibadan, delivered by Justice Ladiran Akintola, granted all the reliefs sought by the claimant, Folahan Malomo Adelabi, declaring the National Convention held in Ibadan as properly conducted and directing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognise and give full effect to all decisions and outcomes reached at the said convention, the same having been found to be proper and lawful.
The judgement, the supporters of Turaki maintained, is a reaffirmation of the obvious fact that the Ibadan convention was conducted properly, transparently, and in full compliance with the party’s constitution and the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Hon. Jungudo Haruna Mohammed, the National Caretaker Working Committee, which has the recognition of the FHC, Ibadan, said, “The judgment reportedly delivered by the Oyo State High Court is an inconsequential development and is best described as a mere academic exercise.
“It is important to state clearly that the court that delivered today’s (Friday’s) judgement was the same court that earlier granted an interim order to Mr. Damagum and his co – travelers the permission to proceed with their “Amala Convention” held on 15th and 16th November 2025, against two valid Federal High Court Judgement. So, this is not NEWS.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the said judgment does not bind Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), as INEC was neither joined nor represented as a party in the suit.
“To say the least, INEC challenged the jurisdiction of the Oyo State High Court which the court later agreed in a ruling delivered by the judge and subsequently struck out the name of INEC.
“A judgement that does noy bind INEC is of no consequence whatsoever as far as the issues at stake is concerned.
“The judgment has no legal effect whatsoever on the conduct, monitoring, or recognition of any party convention purported to have been held on the 15th and 16th of November 2025.
“It bears reiterating that INEC has already complied with two subsisting judgments of the Federal High Court in Abuja, which expressly restrained the Commission from attending, monitoring, or recognizing the outcome of the purported convention.
“INEC has equally complied with the judgment of the Federal High Court, Ibadan, which nullified the said convention and restrained Kabiru Turaki and his associates from parading themselves as leaders of the party.
“In the light of the foregoing, the National Caretaker Working Committee of the party wishes to assure loyal party members and the general public that all arrangements towards the conduct of congresses and National convention have reached advanced stage.
“The party remains committed to legality, due process, rule of law and entrenchment of internal democracy”, it concluded.
The Turaki’s group, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Ini Ememobong said, “The party welcomes this judgment as a vindication of both fact and law.
“It reaffirms the obvious fact that the Ibadan convention was conducted properly, transparently, and in full compliance with the party’s constitution and the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“We commend the Honourable Court for its courage and fidelity to justice.
“We reaffirm our faith in the Nigerian judiciary as an independent arbiter and the last hope of the ordinary citizen.
“The party remains committed to pursuing all legitimate legal avenues to ensure that justice is fully served, and we are confident that the appellate courts will, in like manner, uphold the law without fear or favour, affection or ill will”, the statement said with optimism.
Continuing, the Turaki’s group said, “The Peoples Democratic Party has been informed of the judgment of the High Court of Oyo State, sitting in Ibadan, delivered by the Honourable Justice Ladiran Akintola.
“The court granted all the reliefs sought by the claimant, Folahan Malomo Adelabi, declaring the National Convention held in Ibadan as properly conducted and directing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognise and give full effect to all decisions and outcomes reached at the said convention, the same having been found to be proper and lawful.
“The suit was filed by Musibau Adetunbi, SAN on behalf of his client, Folahan Malomo Adelabi, a card-carrying member of the party, to protect his constitutional right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association.
“The suit sought, among other reliefs, an order compelling the Peoples Democratic Party to conduct its elections as publicly advertised, and a further order directing INEC to honour the outcomes of the convention.
“The Honourable Court had earlier granted an order to that effect on November 3, 2025, and renewed the same on November 14, 2025- the legal basis upon which the convention proceeded on November 15 and 16, 2025.
“This judgment affirms and gives final effect to those earlier orders”, the statement said.
