Former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose has launched a scathing attack on Justice A.L. Akintola of the Oyo State High Court, labeling him a “hand-to-mouth judge” and urging the National Judicial Council (NJC) to sanction him for issuing what Fayose described as a “dead-on-arrival” ex parte order concerning the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)’s national convention.
The fiery PDP chieftain dismissed the ruling as “Ibadan judicial and political awada kerikeri,” a Yoruba phrase meaning theatrical nonsense, insisting it holds no legal weight since a state high court cannot overrule a federal high court decision.
Fayose’s statements to reporters, follow Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja’s order on October 31, 2025, restraining the PDP from proceeding with its convention in Ibadan until it complies with statutory requirements for ward and local government congresses. Akintola’s subsequent order reportedly directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to monitor the convention, directly conflicting with Omotosho’s directive that INEC should not recognize any non-compliant gathering.
“The judge only granted an ineffective order that is a dead-on-arrival order. It is an order no one, including INEC, can obey,” Fayose declared. He emphasized the basic legal principle: “Even the least informed person in Nigeria would understand that a State High Court cannot act as an appellate court over a Federal High Court.” Fayose accused Akintola of disregarding Omotosho’s recent judgment, branding such “hand-to-mouth judges” as “bad eggs that must be flushed out of the judiciary.” He portrayed the move as a desperate ploy by PDP factions opposed to the party’s new Acting National Chairman, Mohammed Abdulrahman, to inflict a “final blow” on the opposition giant.
“How do you go to a State High Court to get an ex parte order asking INEC to monitor a national convention on which a Federal High Court ruled five days ago that it should not monitor?” Fayose questioned. “It appears that desperation has affected their sense.” Despite the turmoil, he expressed optimism: “Fortunately, the PDP has been rescued from their hands and is now in intensive care under the leadership of the new Acting National Chairman, Mohammed Abdulrahman. I am hopeful that the party will survive under Abdulrahman and begin the vital process of healing from the injuries inflicted by the elements in Ibadan.”
Fayose’s remarks have sparked significant online discussion, with some X users highlighting irony, given widespread criticisms of Omotosho himself. While Fayose demanded swift NJC action against Akintola, social media has been flooded with allegations of bias against Omotosho, linking his rulings to FCT Minister Nyesom Wike’s interests. Critics have described Omotosho as “Wike’s judge,” a “slave to Wike,” or the “nerve center of bad judgments,” with posts suggesting pre-written verdicts favoring Wike, the All Progressives Congress (APC), and anti-PDP elements. One user quipped, “James Omotosho is Wike’s judge and always doing his bidding. PDP should go ahead with their convention and ignore him,” reflecting widespread frustration.
Omotosho’s October 31 decision in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/2120/2025 filed by Wike allies, including Imo PDP Chairman Austine Nwachukwu, Abia PDP Chairman Amah Abraham Nnanna, and activist Turnah Alabh George halted the convention until the PDP conducts fresh congresses in affected states, in line with the party’s constitution, the 1999 Constitution (as amended), and the Electoral Act 2022. The judge clarified that courts avoid intervening in internal party disputes but must enforce INEC’s oversight role, restraining the electoral body from recognizing any irregular outcomes.
Wike, who alined to the APC in 2024 amid a bitter fallout with PDP leadership, hailed the verdict as a “wise decision” ending “impunity,” though he admitted “mixed feelings” during a stakeholders’ meeting. PDP spokesperson Debo Ologunagba countered, branding it “sabotage by Wike’s faction” and an “assault on democracy,” vowing an immediate appeal. PDP elder Bode George also criticized the ruling as undermining internal democracy, while activist Chidi Odinkalu decried Wike’s cozy ties with judicial figures as “influence peddling.”
Controversial Rulings by Justice Omotosho
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