The Nyesom Wike-backed National Caretaker Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has described the judgment of the Oyo ’tate High Court recognising the Ibadan convention of the party as a mere academic exercise.

In a statement, the faction’s national publicity secretary, Jungudo Haruna Mohammed, argued that any ruling delivered without the inclusion of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is unenforceable and therefore inconsequential.

He maintained that INEC has already acted on the judgment of the Federal High Court in Ibadan, which declared the National Caretaker Committee as the legitimate leadership of the party.

“The judgment reportedly delivered by the Oyo State High Court is an inconsequential development and is best described as a mere academic exercise,” the statement read.

“It is important to state clearly that the court that delivered today’s judgement was the same court that earlier granted an interim order to Mr. Damagum and his co-travellers the permission to proceed with their “Amala Convention” held on 15th and 16th November 2025 against two valid Federal High Court Judgements. So, this is not NEWS.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the said judgment does not bind Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), as INEC was neither joined nor represented as a party in the suit.

“To say the least, INEC challenged the jurisdiction of the Oyo State High Court which the court later agreed in a ruling delivered by the judge and subsequently struck out the name of INEC. A judgement that does not bind INEC is of no consequence whatsoever as far as the issues at stake is concerned.

“The judgment has no legal effect whatsoever on the conduct, monitoring, or recognition of any party convention purported to have been held on the 15th and 16th of November 2026.

“It bears reiterating that INEC has already complied with two subsisting judgments of the Federal High Court in Abuja, which expressly restrained the Commission from attending, monitoring, or recognizing the outcome of the purported convention.

“INEC has equally complied with the judgment of the Federal High Court, Ibadan, which nullified the said convention and restrained Kabiru Turaki and his associates from parading themselves as leaders of the party.

“In the light of the foregoing, the National Caretaker Working Committee of the party wishes to assure loyal party members and the general public that all arrangements towards the conduct of congresses and National convention have reached advanced stage.

“The party remains committed to legality, due process, the rule of law, and the entrenchment of internal democracy.” (The Nation)