Appeal Court Affirms Ban on PDP Ibadan Convention

By George Omagbemi Sylvester

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has suffered a significant legal blow after the Court of Appeal of Nigeria affirmed a ruling restraining the party from proceeding with its disputed national convention planned in Ibadan.

The judgment, delivered today, March 9, 2026, by the appellate court sitting in Abuja, upheld an earlier order of the Federal High Court of Nigeria which barred the party from conducting the convention and directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) not to recognise any outcome from the proposed gathering.

The legal dispute emerged from deep divisions within the PDP leadership, particularly surrounding the role of the party’s National Secretary, Samuel Anyanwu, whose position has been the subject of intense litigation and factional disagreements among party stakeholders.

The convention scheduled to hold in Ibadan had been promoted by one faction of the party seeking to reorganise its national leadership ahead of future elections. However, opponents argued that due process and constitutional procedures of the party were violated in the process leading to the planned convention.

By affirming the lower court’s decision, the Court of Appeal effectively reinforced the restriction preventing INEC from recognising any resolutions or leadership emerging from the disputed convention.

Political observers say the ruling further exposes the deep internal crisis threatening the stability of the PDP as Nigeria’s leading opposition party.