The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is grappling with significant internal turmoil following a recent Court of Appeal judgment that nullified its national convention held on November 15 and 16, 2025, in Ibadan, Oyo State. This convention had led to the emergence of Tanimu Turaki as the National Chairman. The appellate court, sitting in Abuja, ruled that the party acted unlawfully by proceeding with the convention despite existing court orders and a failure to comply with conditions stipulated by the Federal High Court.

Justice James Omotosho of the Abuja division of the Federal High Court had previously, on October 31, 2025, restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognizing the convention's outcome. His ruling was based on the observation that congresses were not properly conducted in numerous states, a prerequisite for a valid national convention. Furthermore, Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court had, on November 14, 2025, issued an order specifically prohibiting the PDP from holding the convention until a chairmanship nomination form was sold to aspirant and former Jigawa State governor, Sule Lamido.

A three-member panel of the appellate court, in its unanimous judgment delivered by Justice Uchechukwu Onyemenam, upheld the trial court's decision. Justice Onyemenam highlighted that the PDP had failed to meet constitutional provisions required for a valid convention, citing the absence of a valid notice served on INEC and the lack of legitimate congresses in over 14 states. The court firmly rejected the appellants' argument that the case constituted an internal party affair beyond judicial intervention, asserting that breaches of the 1999 Constitution, the Electoral Act 2022, and the party's own constitution and guidelines necessitate legal intervention to uphold democratic principles.

In response to the judgment, the Abdulrahman Mohammed-led PDP Board of Trustees (BoT) announced a meeting scheduled for Wednesday at 2:00 p.m. at No 1, Sabo Ago Street, LifeCamp, Abuja. BoT Chairperson, Mao Ohuabunwa, clarified that only the BoT constituted by the Abdulrahman/Anyanwu-led National Caretaker Working Committee (NCWC) is recognized, advising other groups and non-members to refrain from attending. Conversely, the Tanimu Turaki-led National Working Committee (NWC) expressed its intention to challenge the Court of Appeal's verdict at the Supreme Court. National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, stated that the