The Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned proceedings in the suit challenging the outcome of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) national convention held in Ibadan, setting a new date for January 14, 2026.
A faction aligned with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, filed the suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2501/2025, seeking to nullify the results of the Ibadan convention. The case was heard by Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, who made the adjournment decision. The court also considered a motion from the Kabiru Turaki-led camp, asking for the judge’s recusal due to perceived bias. However, the motion was not heard because some parties had not been served with the necessary documents, prompting the adjournment.
The plaintiffs in the case are the acting national chairman and national secretary of the Wike faction, Mohammed Abdulrahman and Senator Samuel Anyanwu, respectively. They are seeking to have the Ibadan convention’s outcome overturned and to prevent those elected at the convention from assuming roles as party officers or representatives. The case names several defendants, including the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Inspector-General of Police, the Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, and the State Security Service (SSS), along with individuals who emerged from the Ibadan convention.
The Turaki camp’s legal team, led by a consortium of seven Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs), including Chief Chris Uche, argued that there was a reasonable apprehension of bias against Justice Abdulmalik. They requested that the case be reassigned to another judge to ensure the integrity of the proceedings. The motion cited previous administrative objections and letters sent to the Chief Judge, requesting that cases involving PDP internal disputes not be assigned to certain judges. The Turaki camp also raised concerns about the fairness of an earlier ex parte order issued in the case, which they argued followed a template from a related case.
The Wike faction’s plaintiffs are asking the court for injunctive relief to prevent the 5th to 25th defendants from posing as party officers. They are also seeking to direct INEC not to recognize any representatives other than those aligned with the plaintiffs. Additionally, they want the court to confirm that the party’s headquarters is at Wadata Plaza, Wuse Zone 5, Abuja. The plaintiffs have also requested that security agencies be ordered to provide protection for their members at specified party offices in Abuja.
In a related development, a counter-suit filed by the PDP leadership aligned with Kabiru Turaki, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2520/2025, was also adjourned to January 16, 2026. This suit seeks orders for the removal of police presence from the party’s national headquarters, enabling Turaki’s camp to occupy the offices.
The main suit was filed on November 21, 2025, and an ex parte order was issued on November 25, 2025 events referenced by the recusal motion in alleging procedural irregularities. With the court dates now set for mid-January 2026, all eyes will be on the rulings regarding the recusal motion, any interim injunctions that may affect party operations, and how INEC responds to court directions on recognizing party officers.
Disputes over party conventions and the recognition of officers are common in Nigeria’s Federal High Court, often involving INEC and security agencies when questions of party headquarters, representation, and access arise. The recusal request underscores a key legal principle: judicial proceedings must not only be fair but must also appear fair to a reasonable, informed person. This standard is central to the Turaki camp’s call for reassignment, aiming to protect the integrity of the process.
The adjournment to January 2026 delays a resolution but sets a clear timetable for the next phase of litigation over the PDP convention and leadership. The upcoming hearings will be crucial in determining whether the court will entertain the recusal motion, grant any interim reliefs affecting party operations, and ultimately rule on the validity of the Ibadan convention’s outcome.
