The Court of Appeal in Abuja adjourns indefinitely to deliver judgment in nine appeals filed by factions of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over a trial court ruling that halted the party’s national convention. The adjournment leaves unresolved the leadership contest between the Turaki-led and Wike-led factions.
According to Mediaplusng.com, the appeals challenge the October 31, 2025 judgment of Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, which restrained the PDP from conducting its November 15–16, 2025 national convention in Ibadan, Oyo State.
The three-member panel of appellate justices reserves ruling after adopting the appellants’ briefs, as well as other legal processes filed on their behalf.
Mediaplusng.com reports that counsel for the appellants, Chris Uche, SAN, argues that the Federal High Court judgment was delivered without jurisdiction, describing the preliminary objections raised by respondents as “misconceived” and urging the appellate court to dismiss them.
Uche further requests that the Court of Appeal set aside Justice Omotosho’s ruling and orders, contending that the PDP had complied with internal and legal requirements necessary to conduct the convention.
On the other side, counsel for the first to third respondents, Joseph Daudu, SAN, maintains that the leadership of a political party falls within its internal affairs, which the Federal High Court in Abuja lacks jurisdiction to adjudicate. He urges the appellate court to uphold the preliminary objections and dismiss the appeals.
Other respondents similarly argue that the appeals lack merit and represent an academic exercise. The nine appeals stem from three separate Federal High Court judgments in Abuja, delivered by Justices James Omotosho, Peter Lifu, and Joyce Abdulmalik.
Justice Omotosho’s October 30, 2025 ruling had stopped the PDP convention pending full compliance with statutory requirements under the party constitution and the Electoral Act. The court barred INEC from recognizing or publishing outcomes from the convention, citing insufficient notice and irregularities in state congresses across 14 states.
Similarly, Justice Peter Lifu, in a November 11, 2025 ruling, restrained the PDP from conducting its convention, responding to a suit by a former Jigawa State governor who claimed he was unlawfully denied the opportunity to purchase the nomination form for the national chairmanship election.
Justice Abdulmalik’s judgment was also challenged, and processes relating to her ruling were adopted before the Court of Appeal, which has reserved judgment pending further communication to the parties involved.
Observers note that the ongoing legal dispute reflects deep factional divisions within the PDP, highlighting challenges in internal democracy, adherence to statutory requirements, and compliance with INEC regulations.
The national convention, which produced Tanimu Turaki, SAN as national chairman alongside other national officers, remains in limbo as the appellate court deliberates on the appeals. Party members and stakeholders await clarity, as the outcome will determine the legitimacy of leadership and decision-making within the PDP.
Legal experts say the case underscores the broader issues of jurisdiction, electoral law compliance, and internal governance within political parties in Nigeria. They note that the balance between judicial oversight and party autonomy remains a critical factor in resolving such disputes.
Until the Court of Appeal delivers its judgment, the PDP’s national leadership and convention outcomes remain in legal uncertainty, with both factions continuing to assert claims to authority and legitimacy.
The indefinite adjournment by the Court of Appeal highlights the ongoing complexity of the PDP’s internal leadership dispute, leaving party members, stakeholders, and the public awaiting a resolution.
According to Mediaplusng.com, the judgment will be communicated to the parties after adoption of all written processes, but no date has been fixed. The political and legal community continues to monitor developments closely, given the implications for the party and Nigeria’s broader electoral landscape.
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