…Orders INEC to Recognise All Outcomes of the November 2025 Gathering
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has welcomed a landmark judgment by an Oyo State High Court sitting in Ibadan, which has validated the party’s National Convention held in the state capital in November 2025.
In a press statement issued on Friday and signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Ini Ememobong, the party confirmed that Honourable Justice Ladiran Akintola granted all reliefs sought by the claimant, Folahan Malomo Adelabi.
The court declared that the convention was properly conducted and directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognise and give full effect to all decisions and outcomes reached at the gathering.
The suit was filed by Adelabi, a card-carrying member of the PDP, through his counsel, Musibau Adetunbi, SAN. The claimant sought to protect his constitutional right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association. The legal action specifically sought an order compelling the PDP to conduct its elections as publicly advertised, and a further order directing INEC to honour the outcomes of the convention.
According to details from the press statement, the legal journey toward the convention began months earlier. The Honourable Court had initially granted an interim order on November 3, 2025, providing the legal basis for the party to proceed with its planned leadership election. This order was subsequently renewed on November 14, 2025, paving the way for the convention to hold as scheduled on November 15 and 16, 2025.
The Court’s Decision
Friday’s judgment now gives final effect to those earlier interlocutory orders. By granting all the reliefs sought, the court has effectively affirmed that the Ibadan convention was conducted in full compliance with the PDP’s constitution and the broader laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
The ruling also serves as a binding directive to INEC, compelling the electoral umpire to officially recognise the leadership and other outcomes that emerged from the two-day convention.
Party’s Reaction
Reacting to the development, the PDP described the judgment as a “vindication of both fact and law.”
“The party welcomes this judgment as a vindication of both fact and law. It reaffirms the obvious fact that the Ibadan convention was conducted properly, transparently, and in full compliance with the party’s constitution and the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” the statement read.
The party’s leadership used the opportunity to commend the judiciary, praising Honourable Justice Ladiran Akintola for his “courage and fidelity to justice.”
Faith in the Judiciary
In a clear signal of its legal strategy moving forward, the PDP reaffirmed its faith in the Nigerian judiciary as an independent arbiter and what it described as “the last hope of the ordinary citizen.”
The party stated that it remains committed to pursuing all legitimate legal avenues to ensure that justice is fully served regarding any outstanding matters related to its internal affairs. It also expressed confidence that should the judgment be challenged at the appellate level, the higher courts would, “in like manner, uphold the law without fear or favour, affection or ill will.”
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