Makinde PDP faction suffers setback as Appeal Court upholds ruling against Ibadan convention

The faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led by Seyi Makinde has suffered a major setback after the Court of Appeal in Abuja upheld a judgment restraining the party from conducting its national convention held in Ibadan in November 2025.

In a ruling delivered on Monday, a three-member panel of the appellate court dismissed an appeal filed by the PDP challenging the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court in Abuja to hear the case.

The lower court had earlier issued an order stopping the party from proceeding with the national convention scheduled for November 15 and 16, 2025, in Ibadan.

Dissatisfied with the ruling, the party approached the appellate court, arguing that the Federal High Court lacked the authority to entertain the suit.

However, the Court of Appeal rejected the argument and affirmed the earlier judgment of the Federal High Court, thereby sustaining the order halting the convention.

The ruling is seen as a significant blow to the Makinde-led faction within the PDP and is expected to deepen the crisis within the opposition party.

Political observers also say the development could further complicate the position of Dauda Lawal within the factionalised PDP, with indications that the Zamfara governor may now activate plans to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC).