The Peoples Democratic Party faction loyal to Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, has petitioned the Federal High Court in Abuja for an order nullifying the party’s convention held in Ibadan, Oyo State, on November 15 and 16 by the faction aligned with Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde.
The plaintiffs in the FHC/ABJ/CS/250/2025 complaint include the PDP, its Acting National Chairman, Mohammed Abdulrahman, and National Secretary, Samuel Anyanwu.
They Wike faction asked the court to declare the convention and any resolutions “null, void, and of no effect.”
They ask the court to prevent the Independent National Electoral Commission from acknowledging the convention.
The suit follows previous legal efforts by dissatisfied PDP members who claimed that the convention breached the party’s internal regulations, the Electoral Act, and other legislative restrictions.
Past complainants include Imo PDP Chairman Austin Nwachukwu, Abia PDP Chairman Amah Abraham Nnanna, and South-South PDP Secretary Turnah Alabh George.
On October 31, 2025, Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja barred INEC from recognizing the Convention.
In a related suit, former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido successfully challenged his exclusion from obtaining a nomination form to run for national chairman, with Justice Peter Lifu directing that the convention not start until he could purchase the form.
In contrast, Justice A. L. Akintola of the Oyo State High Court in Ibadan issued an interim order that allowed the PDP to convene the convention as planned.
Despite the contradicting rulings, the party held the Ibadan event under tight security, during which Anyanwu, Wike, former Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose, and eight others were ejected.
In the latest complaint filed on November 21, the plaintiffs named 18 defendants, including INEC, the Inspector-General of Police, the FCT Commissioner of Police, the State Security Service, and various PDP leaders.
They claim the convention was held “in flagrant disregard” of three existing Federal High Court decisions, and they want to prevent the new officers from being recognized, restore access to party headquarters at Wadata Plaza and Legacy House, and compel security forces to enforce the previous judgments.
The plaintiffs also seek a judicial judgment of whether any authority can constitutionally recognize the Ibadan convention in light of the Constitution, Electoral Act, and PDP constitution.
The lawsuit has not yet been assigned to a judge, and no hearing date has been set.
