An Oyo State High Court sitting in Ibadan and presided over by Justice Ladiran Akintola has struck out the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from a suit challenging the conduct of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) elective convention held in Ibadan.

The decision followed a preliminary objection filed by INEC, which argued that, as a federal agency, it is not subject to the jurisdiction of a state high court.

In its objection, INEC maintained that only a Federal High Court is constitutionally empowered to entertain suits against it and urged the court to strike out its name from the proceedings.

Justice Akintola upheld the argument and ruled that INEC be removed from the suit on jurisdictional grounds.

Despite INEC’s removal, the court retained other parties listed in the suit, including the PDP, party member Folahan Malomo, the Chairman of the PDP Zonal Committee and Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Fintiri, and the party’s acting National Chairman, Umar Damagun.

The matter was adjourned to January 26, 2026, for further hearing. Reacting to the ruling, counsel to the claimant, Musbau Adetunmbi (SAN), stated that with the court upholding INEC’s objection, the case would proceed against the remaining defendants.

Similarly, the PDP’s Oyo State Legal Adviser, Dapo Durosharan, confirmed that proceedings would resume on the next adjourned date.

The suit, filed by PDP member Folahan Adelabi, challenges the validity of the party’s national convention held on November 15 and 16, 2025, in Ibadan.

At its previous sitting on November 14, the court had reserved ruling on preliminary objections, paving the way for the convention to proceed.

The Ibadan convention produced the Dr Kabiru Tanimu Turaki-led National Executive Committee of the party.