PDP Crisis: S-Court reserves judgment in appeal to validate Turaki-led faction
Supreme Court Reserves Judgment on PDP National Convention Appeal
By Ikechukwu Nnochiri
ABUJA — The Supreme Court reserved judgment Wednesday in an appeal concerning the validity of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) national convention that took place in Ibadan, Oyo State, on November 15-16, 2025.
The appeal, identified as SC/CV/164/2026, was lodged by a faction of the party led by Tanimu Turaki, SAN, and seeks to overturn rulings by both the Court of Appeal and the Federal High Court in Abuja, which criticized the conduct of the Ibadan convention.
A five-member panel led by Justice Mohammed Lawal Garba had previously expedited the hearing of the matter on April 14. After hearing arguments from all parties, the panel announced that the judgment date would be communicated to them.
In their appeal, the Turaki-led faction, represented by Chief Paul Erokoro, SAN, called for the Supreme Court not only to validate their convention but also to reject a cross-appeal filed by a splinter group aligned with the Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike.
Representatives for both Sule Lamido and the Wike faction, Mr. J. C. Njikonye, SAN, and Mr. J. B. Daudu, SAN, respectively, submitted preliminary objections to the appeal, asserting it did not pertain to the PDP’s internal affairs. They maintained that the lower courts had appropriately exercised jurisdiction over the case.
The appellate court had previously chastised the PDP for ignoring a November 14, 2025, ruling by Justice Peter Lifu, which prohibited the Ibadan convention. That ruling had ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) not to supervise or recognize any convention held without including Lamido as a contestant. Lamido, a founding member of the PDP, claimed he was unjustly denied the opportunity to run for National Chairman.
The high court found that Lamido had been unfairly denied a nomination form, conflicting with the PDP’s own constitutional provisions. Consequently, it halted the convention to allow him to obtain the form and mobilize support for his campaign.
Dissatisfied with the lower court’s decision, the Turaki-led faction appealed, but the appellate court rejected their arguments, emphasizing that the PDP had exhibited contempt by conducting the convention despite the court’s order.
The appellate court characterized the party’s actions as a severe affront to judicial authority, indicating that the PDP should have sought a higher court’s suspension of the ruling instead of relying on another court of equal jurisdiction.
Additionally, the Supreme Court is simultaneously reviewing a second appeal related to the Ibadan convention. In this case, the PDP and its National Working Committee (NWC), represented by Chief Chris Uche, SAN, sought to challenge previous court rulings that impeded the convention’s legality.
The appellate court had noted that the convention, which produced the Turaki-led faction, failed to meet necessary statutory requirements, having ignored previous court orders. It concluded that the PDP had not conducted valid state congresses in 14 states prior to the convention, which were essential for selecting valid delegates.
Justice Uchechukwu Onyemenam, who delivered the ruling, reaffirmed that the lower court had rightly assumed jurisdiction as the case involved adherence to the Electoral Act and the PDP’s guidelines. The appellate court rejected claims that the appellants lacked standing, underscoring that processes outlined in the PDP Constitution must be followed for legal actions.
Despite these rulings, shortly after the high court’s decision, the PDP obtained a contradictory order allowing it to proceed with the convention, which led to the Turaki faction’s appeal being dismissed.
In a parallel development, the faction aligned with Wike has successfully convened a national convention in Abuja, forming its leadership and securing a high court ruling granting access to the PDP National Secretariat.
The outcome of these appeals is pending as the Supreme Court deliberates on the complex issues surrounding the PDP’s internal governance.
