Ahead of the Court of Appeal’s ruling on the leadership dispute within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), both factions aligned with party governors and supporters of Minister Nyesom Wike expressed confidence that the judgment would favour their respective positions, citing legal precedents and statutory provisions.
The Court of Appeal in Abuja scheduled the consolidated cases for Monday, confirming that the outcome will determine the official leadership of the party. One faction, led by the National Working Committee under Tanimu Turaki and backed by Governors Seyi Makinde and Bala Mohammed, endorsed the Ibadan convention that appointed Turaki and other members of the NWC for a four-year term. The opposing faction, loyal to Wike, formed a 13-member caretaker committee in December 2025, naming Mohammed Abdulrahman as acting national chairman and Samuel Anyanwu as acting national secretary.
Efforts by both factions to hold meetings at the PDP National Secretariat in November 2025 turned chaotic, prompting the Nigeria Police Force to seal the secretariat. Subsequent requests for recognition by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) were denied, leading to a series of legal battles.
Key cases before the Appeal Court include suit FHC/ABJ/CS/2120/2025, which halted the party’s convention pending full compliance with the PDP constitution, the Nigerian Constitution, and the Electoral Act. Another suit filed by former Governor Sule Lamido restrained INEC from recognising conventions that excluded him. Other cases challenge the legality of the November 15–16 convention and the closure of the National Secretariat.
The Wike-aligned faction expressed optimism, citing Supreme Court and Appeal Court precedents supporting their position. Their spokesperson, Mohammed Jungudo, emphasised that violations of party rules and court judgments could not stand, expressing confidence that the judgment would favor them.
The Turaki-led NWC also expressed trust in the judiciary, with National Publicity Secretary Ini Ememobong stating that the outcome would reinforce democracy and strengthen Nigeria’s multi-party system. Ememobong said the next steps would depend on the court’s reasoning, highlighting the importance of adhering to legal interpretations.
The PDP Governors Forum echoed confidence in the judiciary and called on party members to remain calm and law-abiding ahead of the judgment. Dr Emmanuel Agbo, the forum’s Director-General, emphasised the party’s commitment to offering Nigerians a credible political alternative and preparing for the 2027 elections regardless of the court’s decision.
Meanwhile, governorship aspirant in Lagos State, Funso Doherty, urged the Court of Appeal to deliver a swift judgment to provide clarity for the party’s primaries and ensure the legitimacy of candidates ahead of the 2027 elections. He stressed that timely resolution would guide the PDP, INEC, and other stakeholders in preparing for party primaries scheduled to commence on April 23, 2026.
