Wike-Backed PDP Caretaker Committee Rejects Oyo Court Ruling, Says Ibadan 2025 Convention Verdict ‘Inconsequential
The Nyesom Wike-backed National Caretaker Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has dismissed the recent judgment of the Oyo State High Court recognising the party’s 2025 Ibadan convention, describing it as a “mere academic exercise” with no binding effect.
In a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Jungudo Haruna Mohammed, the faction argued that any court ruling delivered without the inclusion of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is unenforceable and therefore inconsequential.
The reaction follows Friday’s judgment by an Oyo State High Court sitting in Ibadan, which affirmed the validity of the PDP’s National Convention held in the Oyo State capital on November 15 and 16, 2025. Justice Ladiran Akintola of Court 5 delivered the ruling after addressing an application for joinder.
However, the Wike-backed committee insisted that the judgment does not bind INEC, noting that the electoral body was neither joined nor represented in the suit.
“The judgment reportedly delivered by the Oyo State High Court is an inconsequential development and is best described as a mere academic exercise,” the statement read.
The faction further contended that the same court had earlier granted an interim order allowing Umar Damagum and his associates to proceed with what it described as the “Amala Convention,” despite what it called two valid Federal High Court judgments.
It added that INEC had challenged the jurisdiction of the Oyo State High Court and that the court subsequently struck out the commission’s name from the suit. According to the committee, a judgment that does not bind INEC cannot have any legal consequence regarding the recognition or monitoring of a party convention.
The statement also maintained that INEC had already complied with subsisting judgments of the Federal High Court in Abuja, which restrained the commission from attending, monitoring, or recognising the outcome of the November convention.
In addition, it referenced a judgment of the Federal High Court in Ibadan which it said nullified the convention and restrained Kabiru Turaki and his associates from parading themselves as leaders of the party.
Amid the legal tussle, the National Caretaker Committee assured party members and the public that preparations for congresses and a fresh national convention were at an advanced stage.
“The party remains committed to legality, due process, the rule of law, and the entrenchment of internal democracy,” the statement added.
The latest development underscores the deepening leadership crisis within the PDP, as rival factions continue to seek judicial backing for control of the party’s national structure.
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