The Federal High Court sitting in Ibadan on Friday nullified the Peoples Democratic Party National Convention held on November 15, 2025, in Ibadan, Oyo State.
The court also barred Kabiru Turaki and others from presenting themselves as national party officers, dealing a significant blow to the convention-winning faction.
Despite internal disputes within the party, the PDP went ahead with its highly anticipated two-day 2025 Elective National Convention at the Lekan Salami Stadium in Adamasingba, Ibadan. Tagged #Ibadan2025, the convention attracted thousands of party delegates, leaders, and supporters.
The court’s ruling comes after ongoing leadership disputes within the PDP, which have resulted in competing factions and legal battles over the party’s national leadership and internal processes.
Reacting to the verdict in a statement posted on the PDP’s X handle on Friday, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, said the PDP is awaiting the final pronouncement of the appellate courts, which it believes will uphold its position.
The statement urged members to remain calm and determined, emphasizing that there is “absolutely no cause for alarm.” It added that the rebirth movement remains firmly on course.
“Notwithstanding this judgment, the Kabiru Turaki–led Peoples Democratic Party, which emerged from the Ibadan Convention, remains legally intact and unshaken as we await the authoritative pronouncement of the appellate courts,” the statement said.
“We therefore urge our members to remain resolute and committed, as there is absolutely no cause for alarm. The rebirth movement remains firmly on course,” it added.
![Rev. Fr. Anthony Odiong, a US-based Nigerian Louisiana Catholic priest, was arrested in Florida on Tuesday for possessing child pornography, according to law authorities. The suspect is reportedly accused of many other cases of sexual assault. The Waco, Texas, Police Department announced in a Facebook post on Tuesday that officers detained Father Anthony Odiong in Ave Maria, Florida, with assistance from the United States Marshals Service. Waco police announced in March that they had received "credible information" about a sexual assault allegedly committed by Odiong in Texas in 2012. “During the subsequent investigation, a case of possession of child pornography was uncovered,” the police said. The priest was apprehended in Florida by the Caribbean Regional Fugitive Task Force. The Waco Police Department said that he will be extradited to Texas. Odiong had previously served in the Archdiocese of New Orleans before being removed as priest in December of last year due to controversy over homilies in which he claimed, among other things, that the Catholic Church was being taken over by "the gays." At the time, the priest was also accused of abusive behaviour; a Louisiana lady claimed in U.S. bankruptcy court that Odiong had committed both financial and sexual abuse against her. Prior to joining the New Orleans Archdiocese, Odiong served in at least two Texas parishes. On Tuesday, Waco police stated that during their sexual assault investigation, "the presence of other survivors was revealed." “Multiple women have come forward to tell similar experiences as the sexual assault survivor who reported the initial allegation,” the police department said. “Survivors’ experiences ranged from sexual assault and indecent assault, more commonly recognised as groping, and financial abuse, with some survivors experiencing every element of Anthony Odiong’s manipulation.” The police said they “believe there may be more survivors, and we wish to speak with anyone who [has] had similar encounters” with the priest. The Archdiocese of New Orleans issued a brief news release on Tuesday noting Odiong's arrest in Florida. The archdiocese “encourages anyone with any information to contact law enforcement,” the release said.](https://chronicle.ng/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/ezgif-6-4730550ede-450x300.jpg "Odiong: US-based Nigerian Catholic priest convicted over sexual assault")
