Abuja Appeal Court Invalidates PDP Convention

The Court of Appeal in Abuja ruled on Monday that the Peoples Democratic Party's national convention, held in Ibadan, Oyo State, on November 15 and 16, 2025, was invalid, upholding a prior Federal High Court decision and deepening the party's ongoing leadership crisis.

In a unanimous judgment delivered by a three-member panel led by Justice Uchechukwu Onyemenam, the appellate court dismissed the PDP's appeal, finding it lacked merit. The court affirmed that the Federal High Court correctly granted reliefs sought by plaintiffs, including party members who challenged the convention's legitimacy. Key issues included the PDP's failure to provide valid notice to the Independent National Electoral Commission, as required by law, and the absence of congresses in more than 14 states prior to the event. The judges also ruled that the party proceeded with the convention despite a subsisting court order from Justice Peter Lifu, which barred it until conditions, such as allowing former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido to purchase a chairmanship nomination form, were met. The plaintiffs, represented by Senior Advocate Joseph Daudu, argued the process violated party and electoral laws.