The Court of Appeal in Abuja has reserved judgment on nine appeals brought by rival factions of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) following a dispute over the party’s national convention. The convention, which took place on November 15 and 16, 2025, in Ibadan, Oyo State, led to the election of Tanimu Turaki, SAN, as the National Chairman, along with other national officers.
A three-member panel of the appellate court announced that it would deliver its judgment on a future date, to be communicated to the parties involved, after reviewing all written submissions related to the appeals. These appeals were lodged in response to decisions made by the Federal High Court, which had earlier intervened in the convention proceedings.
At the heart of the matter is the dispute over the legal authority to proceed with the convention, as well as concerns about the validity of the convention itself due to allegations of procedural violations. The Federal High Court had previously ruled that the PDP must adhere to specific legal requirements under both the party’s constitution and the Electoral Act before holding such a convention.
One of the appeals, marked CA/ABJ/CV/1613/2025, sees the PDP, its National Working Committee, and the National Executive Committee challenging the judgment delivered by Justice James Omotosho on October 31, 2025. The appellants are seeking to have this ruling overturned, arguing that the Federal High Court did not have jurisdiction over the matter and that the judgment was improperly issued. The appellants also contend that the court’s decision was based on a “misconceived preliminary objection” and request that the appellate court dismiss the lower court’s judgment in its entirety.
Counsel for the respondents, Joseph Daudu, SAN, has adopted the preliminary objections raised by his clients, urging the appellate court to dismiss the appeal. Daudu argued that the issue of the party leadership is an internal matter, falling outside the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court. He further contended that the judgment should be set aside.
Other respondents have similarly expressed their opposition to the appeal, describing it as lacking merit and an “academic exercise.”
This legal dispute stems from a series of rulings delivered by different justices of the Federal High Court, including judgments by Justices James Omotosho, Peter Lifu, and Joyce Abdulmalik. Each of these rulings addressed various aspects of the PDP’s convention and the statutory requirements that the party allegedly failed to fulfill before the event.
Justice Omotosho’s ruling on October 30, 2025, notably stopped the PDP from holding its planned 2025 National Convention until it complied with the constitutional and electoral requirements. The judge emphasized that INEC, Nigeria’s electoral body, holds the responsibility to ensure that political parties follow the law in their congresses and conventions.
Omotosho further ruled that the PDP could not hold the convention unless it fulfilled the mandatory steps stipulated by law, including issuing valid notices and ensuring compliance with regulations set forth in the Electoral Act. The court found that the PDP had failed to issue the required 21-day notice to INEC, a lapse that threatened the legality of the convention.
In addition to Omotosho’s ruling, Justice Peter Lifu, on November 11, 2025, issued an order prohibiting the PDP from proceeding with its convention, citing the party’s failure to follow necessary legal protocols. Lifu’s decision stemmed from a separate lawsuit filed by a former Jigawa State governor, who alleged he was denied the chance to run for the position of national chairman due to procedural violations.
This series of legal challenges highlights the ongoing tensions within the PDP over the conduct of its internal processes and leadership elections. The appeals, which now await the Court of Appeal’s judgment, are expected to have significant implications for the party’s future conventions and its overall governance structure.
The legal drama surrounding the PDP leadership has attracted widespread attention, as it raises questions about the role of the judiciary in regulating political party activities and enforcing electoral laws. The outcome of the appeals will likely set a precedent for how similar disputes are handled in the future.
The PDP, as one of Nigeria’s major political parties, remains embroiled in this leadership crisis, and the court’s final decision will have lasting consequences for the party’s internal structure and political viability.
