Ibadan Convention in Dispute: Wike Camp Seeks Judicial Nullification, Restraint on INEC Recognition
A faction of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) aligned with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has instituted an action before the Federal High Court, Abuja, seeking to nullify the party’s convention held in Ibadan, Oyo State, on 15–16 November 2025.
The suit, referenced as FHC/ABJ/CS/250/2025, lists as plaintiffs the PDP itself, its Acting National Chairman, Mohammed Abdulrahman, and National Secretary, Samuel Anyanwu.
The applicants pray the court to declare the Ibadan convention, convened by the faction loyal to Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, together with all resolutions emanating therefrom, “null, void and of no effect.” They further seek an order restraining the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from according recognition to the said convention.
This fresh action follows earlier suits by aggrieved members of the party who contended that the convention violated the PDP constitution, the Electoral Act, and other statutory provisions. Among the previous complainants were Imo PDP Chairman, Austin Nwachukwu; Abia PDP Chairman, Amah Abraham Nnanna; and South‑South PDP Secretary, Turnah Alabh George.
On 31 October 2025, Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, restrained INEC from recognising the convention. In a separate matter, former Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido, successfully challenged his exclusion from purchasing a nomination form to contest for national chairman. Justice Peter Lifu consequently ordered that the convention could not proceed unless Lamido was permitted to obtain the form.
Conversely, Justice A. L. Akintola of the Oyo State High Court, Ibadan, granted an interim order authorising the PDP to hold the convention as scheduled. Notwithstanding these conflicting rulings, the party proceeded with the Ibadan convention under tight security, during which Anyanwu, Wike, former Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose, and eight others were expelled.
In the new suit dated 21 November 2025, the plaintiffs joined 18 defendants, including INEC, the Inspector‑General of Police, the FCT Commissioner of Police, the State Security Service, and several PDP officials. They allege that the Ibadan convention was conducted “in flagrant disregard” of three subsisting orders of the Federal High Court. Accordingly, they seek reliefs to prevent recognition of the purported officers, restore access to party offices at Wadata Plaza and Legacy House, and compel security agencies to enforce the earlier judgments.
The plaintiffs also request judicial pronouncement on whether any authority can lawfully recognise the Ibadan convention in light of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Electoral Act, and the PDP constitution.
As at the time of filing, the matter has not been assigned to a judge, and no date has been fixed for hearing.
