Court of Appeal Affirms Nullification of Controversial Ibadan Convention, Fines Appellants N2m

The Court of Appeal has dismissed an appeal filed by Ibrahim Saminu Turaki-led administration challenging the earlier ruling of the Federal High Court that nullified the controversial Ibadan convention.

In a unanimous decision, the three-member panel of the appellate court upheld the lower court’s judgment and imposed a fine of ₦2 million on the appellants.

The panel was chaired by Justice Mohammed Ambi-Usi Danjuma, with Justice Okechukwu Onyemenam and Justice Muhammed Mustapha serving as members.

Delivering the judgment, the court affirmed the decision of the Federal High Court which had earlier declared the Ibadan convention invalid.

The appellate court held that when a political party fails or refuses to conduct its congresses or conventions in line with its own constitution and the provisions of the Electoral Act, such matters can no longer be treated as purely internal party affairs.

According to the court, once parties’ processes violate both the party’s constitution and relevant provisions of the Electoral Act, they become subject to judicial review.

The court emphasised that any congress or convention conducted in breach of these legal requirements cannot stand in the eyes of the law, noting that such actions undermine internal party democracy and the legal framework governing political parties.