By George Omagbemi Sylvester
The Court of Appeal in Abuja has reserved judgment in crucial appeals stemming from the protracted leadership crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The ruling, expected on a date yet to be announced, could determine the legitimacy of rival party executives and significantly impact the PDP’s political future ahead of upcoming elections.
The appellate panel, sitting in Abuja on February 12, 2026, reserved its decision after counsel for all parties adopted their final written briefs in nine separate appeals related to conflicting rulings from the Federal High Court.
The appeals challenge a series of Federal High Court orders that halted the PDP’s national convention scheduled for November 15–16, 2025, in Ibadan, Oyo State. This convention resulted in the election of former minister Tanimu Turaki (SAN) as national chairman along with other national officers.
Several aggrieved party members argued that the convention violated provisions of the Electoral Act and the party’s constitution, leading the trial courts to grant orders restraining the convention and, in some cases, directing the electoral commission not to recognise its outcome.
Different factions within the PDP filed multiple appeals, seeking to overturn the lower-court decisions.
The proceedings at the Court of Appeal included final submissions from lawyers representing opposing factions before the panel reserved judgment for a later date.
Key political actors are involved in the appeals, including:
- The PDP
- Its National Working Committee (NWC)
- Its National Executive Committee (NEC)
Respondents in the case include:
- The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)
- Austin Nwachukwu
- Amah Abraham Nnanna
- Turnah George
- Senator Samuel Anyanwu
- Umar Damagum
- Ali Odefa
- Emmanuel Ogidi
The leadership tussle involves two major factions: one aligned with Tanimu Turaki, recognised as national chairman, and another led by acting national chairman Abdulrahman Mohammed, associated with allies of Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike.
This ongoing crisis centres on the legality of the November 2025 national convention and the authority of the executives it produced. Three different Federal High Court judges issued orders affecting the convention, citing alleged violations of the Electoral Act and internal party rules.
The conflicting orders from three Federal High Court judges triggered multiple appeals from both factions. Lawyers for the appellants argued that the lower-court decisions were void of jurisdiction and should be set aside, while counsel for the respondents maintained that leadership questions were internal party matters and urged the court to dismiss the appeals.
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