Nullifies PDP Ibadan Convention, Submerges Party In Emergency Talks
UYO – Nigeria’s apex court has delivered a decisive ruling in the protracted leadership crisis rocking the African Democratic Congress (ADC), restoring the party’s national leadership while ordering a full hearing of the dispute at the Federal High Court.
In an unanimous judgment, the Supreme Court set aside earlier “status quo ante bellum” orders issued by lower courts, ruling that such preservative directives were improperly granted and could not stand once substantive proceedings had advanced.
The ruling effectively reinstates the leadership structure headed by former Senate President David Mark and former Osun State governor Rauf Aregbesola, who had been at the centre of the dispute over the party’s national offices.
Justice Mohammed Garba, delivering the lead judgment, held that courts cannot sustain interim orders where there is “nothing left to preserve,” emphasizing that procedural directives must not evolve into binding injunctions.
In a related pronouncement, the apex court directed that the substantive issues surrounding the leadership tussle be returned to the Federal High Court for determination on their merits, effectively reopening the core dispute.
The implication is that, while the Mark-led leadership regains control for now, the order for a fresh hearing means the crisis is far from over, with the possibility of further legal fireworks ahead of the 2027 elections.
In a related development, the Supreme Court has also nullified the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Ibadan convention as the party is submerge in emergency talks.
In a parallel judgment with far-reaching political consequences, the Supreme Court has voided the controversial national convention of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) held in Ibadan.
The apex court ruled against the validity of the convention, effectively nullifying decisions and leadership outcomes that emerged from the exercise.
The judgment has thrown the main opposition party into fresh uncertainty, triggering an emergency meeting of top stakeholders, including governors, Board of Trustees members, and the National Executive Committee in Abuja shortly after the ruling.
Though full details of the court’s reasoning are still emerging, the decision is believed to be tied to procedural irregularities and legal challenges that had trailed the conduct of the convention.
The PDP now faces a renewed leadership crisis, with potential realignments and legal steps expected as factions scramble to regain control ahead of future electoral contests.
Currently, the twin Supreme Court rulings have significantly reshaped Nigeria’s opposition politics.
While the ADC gains temporary stability but remains in chains, entangled in litigation, the PDP confronts a deeper internal crisis following the nullification of its Ibadan convention.
Political observers said, both developments could influence coalition talks and strategies ahead of the 2027 general elections in the country.
