Court Removes INEC From PDP Convention Lawsuit.

Justice Ladiran Akintola of the Oyo State High Court sitting in Ibadan has removed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from a lawsuit challenging the legitimacy and conduct of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) elective convention held in Ibadan.

During the previous hearing, INEC’s lawyer, Mr O. Adeyemi, argued that the court lacked jurisdiction to entertain the matter.

He asserted that as a federal agency, INEC could only be sued in the Federal High Court, not a State High Court.

Consequently, INEC requested that its name be struck out from the suit.

Justice Akintola upheld this submission and struck INEC out as a defendant, recognising that the commission operates outside the jurisdiction of the State High Court. However, the names of other defendants, including the acting PDP chairman, Damagun, were retained.

The court adjourned the case to January 26, 2026, for continuation.

Speaking after the hearing, counsel for the claimant, Musbau Adetunmbi (SAN), confirmed that INEC had been excused following its jurisdictional challenge.

He added that the court still has authority over the remaining defendants: the PDP, PDP member Folahan Malomo, and the chairman of the PDP zonal committee, Governor Ahmadu Fintiri.

The PDP’s legal adviser in Oyo State, Dapo Durosharan, also said that despite INEC’s removal, the case would proceed against the other defendants on the adjourned date.

Durosharan stated that the party’s legal team would deliberate and determine the next steps to take.