The Supreme Court, Thursday in Abuja nullified the national convention held by the Saminu Turaki-led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)) in Ibadan, November 15-16, 2025.
Reacting through its National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, the PDP) faction led by Turaki said with the split judgment, the party has been left without a defined leadership.
Going forward, Ememobong said the existing organs of the party will take the necessary steps to salvage the party and confer leadership on it.
The statement issued, signed, dated and released to newsmen in Abuja reads further: “Today, the Supreme Court of Nigeria, through a five-man panel presidded over by Justice Mohammed Garba, in a split decision (3–2), upheld the judgments of the Court of Appeal and the Federal High Court, wherein the convention held in Ibadan was nullified.
“The three Justices (Chioma Nwosu-Iheme, Stephen Adah, and Garba) hinged their judgments on the disrespect of a valid, subsisting judgment of the Federal High Court and therefore held that, being in contempt, the appellants cannot be accommodated in the apex court, thereby dismissing the appeal.
“However, the minority judgments by Justices Haruna Tsammani and Abubakar Umar held that the two appeals emanate from matters which are internal affairs of the PDP and are therefore non-justiciable.
PDP now faction-less
However, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has said Thursday’s Supreme Court ruling has settled the ongoing leadership issue in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Wike reaffirmed that the judgment has shown that the PDP is one and has no faction.
Speaking to journalists at his home in Abuja, Wike rejected claims of divisions, saying that the court’s decision has brought clarity to the situation.
“The PDP is one,” he said, adding that the judgment has ended the disputes among the party’s groups. “The top court ruled 3 to 2 that the party’s national meeting in Ibadan on November 15 and 16, 2025, which created a leadership supported by Seyi Makinde, was invalid.
“The court’s main decision said that the convention broke the rules set by previous court orders, which required the party to follow specific steps before moving forward.
“It also criticized the PDP for continuing with the exercise even though they were told not to.”
The FCT minister spoke about the bigger political picture and drew a distinction between political parties and individuals, sharing his views about some specific people.
“I don’t mean to say I don’t like the party; I just hate the people who are there. I don’t like them,” Wike said.
“They are among the people who have caused Nigeria a lot of problems,” he added.
Apex court decision affirms legitimacy of Mark ADC leadership – Atiku
A former Vice President and chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has said to the Supreme Court ruling is a significant affirmation of leadership within the party.
This was disclosed via his X handle on Thursday.
Atiku welcomed the apex court’s decision, which upheld David Mark and the party’s leadership.
“Even as we welcome the Supreme Court’s firm affirmation of David Mark and the leadership of our great party, the African Democratic Congress, let no one be lulled into complacency.
“The road ahead remains long in our cause to take back and rescue our country.
“This victory belongs to Nigerians, the courageous millions who refuse to surrender their future.
“We thank them, and we urge them to remain steadfast, because the struggle is far from over. As we press on, let this truth guide us: eternal vigilance is the price of liberty,” he said.