The leadership crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) deepened on Thursday following a Federal High Court ruling that nullified the party’s national convention held in Ibadan, Oyo State.

The court declared the November 15–16, 2025 convention invalid, holding that it was conducted in violation of existing court orders. Consequently, all decisions and outcomes arising from the convention were set aside.

In its judgment, the court restrained officials produced by the Ibadan convention from parading themselves as members of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC). It further recognised the party’s caretaker committee as the only legitimate leadership pending the conduct of a valid national convention.

The ruling has further entrenched divisions within the opposition party, with rival factions adopting hardline positions.

While the caretaker committee and its supporters welcomed the judgment, describing it as a victory for the rule of law and party supremacy, the faction affected by the ruling rejected the verdict and announced plans to challenge it at the Court of Appeal.

The aggrieved faction insisted that the convention was lawfully conducted and maintained that the judgment would not deter its claim to leadership.

Political observers say the development has heightened uncertainty within the PDP and could further weaken the party’s cohesion as it struggles to resolve its prolonged internal leadership dispute.