The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has reaffirmed that its leadership under Kabiru Turaki remains firmly in place, following a ruling by the Federal High Court sitting in Ibadan, Oyo State, which declined to grant an order of mandamus in a case connected to the party’s lingering internal leadership dispute.
In a statement issued shortly after the judgment on Friday, the PDP clarified that the court’s decision did not invalidate the Ibadan Convention nor overturn the leadership structure that emerged from it. The statement, signed by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Ini Ememobong, stressed that the ruling was based purely on legal and procedural grounds rather than the substantive merits of the leadership contest.
According to the party, the Federal High Court declined the relief sought because granting it would have amounted to the court sitting on appeal over decisions already made by courts of coordinate jurisdiction. Ememobong explained that such a move would be contrary to established judicial principles, as courts of equal standing reaffirm each other’s authority rather than review or overturn their rulings.
“The judgment of the Federal High Court, Ibadan, essentially declined to grant the order of mandamus sought on the ground that doing so would amount to sitting on appeal over judgments of courts of coordinate jurisdiction,” the PDP spokesperson said.
He emphasised that the ruling should not be misinterpreted as a judicial rejection of the Ibadan Convention or the leadership produced from it. Rather, the court limited itself to procedural considerations, leaving the core issues surrounding the party’s leadership dispute unresolved and open to further judicial review.
Ememobong further disclosed that the PDP has already initiated steps to challenge the Ibadan ruling at the appellate level.
He assured party members and supporters nationwide that the legal process is ongoing and that the party remains confident in securing a definitive and authoritative pronouncement from higher courts.
“Notwithstanding this judgment, the Kabiru Turaki-led Peoples Democratic Party, which emerged from the Ibadan Convention, remains firmly in place as we await the authoritative pronouncement of the appellate courts,” the statement added.
The party also called on its members to remain calm, united, and focused, urging them not to be distracted by what it described as deliberate attempts to misrepresent the court ruling as a political setback. According to the PDP, the ruling does not alter the existing leadership structure nor weaken the party’s ongoing internal reforms.
In addition, the PDP maintained that its reform agenda and the much-publicised REBIRTH movement remain unaffected by the court decision. The party termed the Ibadan judgment as a temporary procedural development within a broader legal process, rather than a defeat that undermines its organisational direction or political strategy.
