PDP crisis is family affair – Appeal Court’s Justice Georgewill
PDP Dispute Declared a Family Matter by Court of Appeal in Ibadan
By Adeola Badru
IBADAN — The Court of Appeal has urged factions within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to settle their ongoing conflict amicably, characterizing the discord as a “family dispute that has gone sour.”
The appellate court, led by Justice Biobele Georgewill, issued this recommendation while addressing appeals related to conflicting decisions from both the Federal High Court and the Oyo State High Court concerning the PDP’s recent convention in Ibadan.
This development follows a Motion on Notice filed by the appellant’s legal representative, Mr. Fredrick Ladapo, on March 4, 2026, which sought to withdraw the appeal.
During the proceedings, Justice Georgewill requested clarification regarding the applications and processes pending before the court. He remarked that the party’s internal conflicts had escalated unnecessarily, noting the recent notice to withdraw the appeal presented an opportunity for resolution outside of court.
“The dispute within the PDP, as a family affair, has gone sour,” Justice Georgewill stated, emphasizing that the notice of withdrawal could pave the way for a settlement.
In light of the situation, the court instructed the two factions to convene with their legal teams to negotiate potential terms for resolution. Once agreed upon and submitted to the court, these terms would be formalized as the court’s judgment.
The court has scheduled a follow-up hearing for March 11, during which the parties are to report back on the status of their discussions. This adjournment pertains to the two appeals aiming to overturn the contradictory rulings of the Federal High Court and the Oyo State High Court regarding the PDP convention.
Justice Georgewill further directed both legal teams to return on the adjourned date to indicate whether their clients are prepared to pursue a settlement. He cautioned that should the factions fail to reconcile, the court may either continue with the hearing of the appeals or transfer the case to Abuja for consolidation with related appeals.
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