The Supreme Court on Thursday voided the National Convention of the Peoples Democratic Party held in Ibadan, Oyo State, on November 15 and 16, 2025, dealing a major blow to a faction of the opposition party led by former Minister of Special Duties, Tanimu Turaki (SAN).

In a split judgment delivered by a five-member panel, the apex court dismissed the appeal filed by the Turaki-led group, affirming the concurrent decisions of the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal which had earlier nullified the convention.

Delivering the lead judgment in appeal number SC/CV/164/2026, Justice Stephen Adah held that the appellants acted in violation of a subsisting order of the Federal High Court which restrained them from proceeding with the convention.

The court ruled that the appeal lacked merit and accordingly dismissed both the appeal and the cross-appeals, directing all parties to bear their respective costs.

The justices noted that the disobedience to the court order was not contested by the appellants.

The apex court also upheld the findings of the lower courts that the faction engaged in abuse of court process by allegedly securing a conflicting order from a court of coordinate jurisdiction in Ibadan after an earlier restraining order had been issued.

Justice Adah further emphasised that the lower courts were right in relying on Sections 221, 222 and 229 of the 1999 Constitution, stressing that political parties must strictly adhere to constitutional provisions, electoral guidelines, and valid court orders in conducting their affairs.

The appeal challenged the March 9 judgment of the Court of Appeal, which affirmed the earlier ruling of the Federal High Court nullifying the convention and restraining the Independent National Electoral Commission from recognising its outcome.

The Supreme Court had reserved judgment in the matter on April 22 after hearing arguments from counsel.

More details to follow.