NIGERIA: Appeal Court Upholds Judgment Stopping INEC from Recognising PDP’s Ibadan National Convention

By Onoja Baba, Nigeria 

The Court of Appeal in Abuja has affirmed the decision of a Federal High Court that restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) national convention held in Ibadan on November 15 and 16, 2025.

In a judgment delivered on Monday by a three-member panel, the appellate court dismissed an appeal filed by the PDP challenging the jurisdiction of the Abuja Federal High Court to hear and determine the suit that led to the restraining order.

The lower court had earlier declared that the convention, which produced the current national leadership of the PDP, was conducted in breach of the party’s constitution and guidelines for the conduct of national conventions.

The court consequently barred INEC from recognising or dealing with any outcome or leadership emerging from the Ibadan gathering.

The PDP appealed the decision, arguing that the Federal High Court lacked jurisdiction to interfere in internal party affairs.

The appellate court, however, upheld the lower court’s ruling, reinforcing the view that the convention did not comply with mandatory provisions of the PDP constitution.

The ruling is a major setback for the PDP leadership elected at the Ibadan convention. It raises fresh questions about the legitimacy of the current national working committee and could trigger further legal and political realignments within the opposition party ahead of future elections.

INEC has not yet commented on the latest development, but the commission is expected to abide by the appellate court’s decision pending any further appeal to the Supreme Court.

The PDP leadership is yet to issue an official stateme

nt on the judgment.