ABUJA, Nigeria (FN), The Turaki-led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) told the Supreme Court on Tuesday that the judiciary has no authority to run its internal affairs, insisting that its disputed Ibadan convention was valid.
The faction, led by former minister Kabiru Turaki, argued that the November 2025 convention was an internal party matter and not subject to judicial review. “Courts can’t run our party,” Turaki’s lawyers told the panel, urging the apex court to dismiss objections raised by rival PDP members aligned with former FCT Minister Nyesom Wike.
Lower courts had earlier barred the convention, ruling that the faction failed to conduct valid state congresses and excluded key aspirants. The Court of Appeal upheld that decision, declaring the convention invalid and restraining the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognizing its outcomes.
Opponents of the Turaki faction, including former Jigawa governor Sule Lamido, maintain that the convention violated subsisting court orders and the Electoral Act. They argue that compliance with statutory requirements makes the matter justiciable.
A five-member panel of the Supreme Court, led by Justice Lawal Garba, has reserved judgment after hearing arguments from both sides. The ruling, expected at a later date, will determine whether the Ibadan convention stands and could shape the PDP’s leadership structure ahead of the 2027 elections.
