The Court of Appeal will today (Monday) in Abuja decide on the leadership crisis that has long rocked the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Each of the two factions is confident that victory will be on its side.
A faction is led by Dr. Tanimu Turaki, who was elected National Chairman at a controversial convention in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, last November and has the support of governors belonging the party, while another is headed by Hon. Mohammed Abdulrahman and is backed by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Barrister Nyesom Wike. It constituted a 13-member caretaker committee last 8 December with Abdulrahman as acting National Chairman and for National Secretary, Senator Anyanwu holding the same position in acting capacity. Its 60-day mandate ended last month.
Both factions expressed confidence that the judgement would be in their favour.
Efforts by both the Wike-aligned group and the governors’ camp to convene meetings at the party’s National Secretariat in Abuja on 18 November 2025 turned chaotic, leading to disorder and physical altercations.
Following the incident, the Nigeria Police Force sealed the secretariat, which has since remained closed.
Both factions subsequently sought recognition from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), but it refused to acknowledge either group, resulting in prolonged legal battles.
One of the consolidated suits before the Appeal Court is suit FHC/ABJ/CS/2120/2025, which produced a ruling that halted the party’s convention until it fully complies with provisions of its constitution, the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and the Electoral Act (Nigeria).
The case was instituted by three aggrieved party members: Austin Nwachukwu (Imo State Chairman), Amah Abraham Nnanna (Abia State Chairman), and Turnah Alabh George (South-South Secretary).
Another significant suit was filed by a former Jigawa State Governor, Hon. Sule Lamido. In that matter, Justice Peter Lifu issued an order restraining INEC from supervising, monitoring, or recognising any PDP convention that excluded the plaintiff as a contestant.
Three other cases, including one originating from the Oyo State High Court, are also challenging the legality of the party’s convention last November.
Last 12 February, the Court of Appeal heard all the consolidated cases relating to the party leadership dispute and informed the parties that judgement would be delivered today.
The outcome of the cases currently before the Court of Appeal is pivotal and will determine the leadership of the party.
The National Publicity Secretary of the Turaki-led leadership, Hon. Ini Ememobong, said that the party leadership had confidence in the judiciary, expressing optimism that the judgement would reinforce democracy and strengthen the multi-party system in Nigeria.
He further said: ‘Our party is also expected to be in court tomorrow as the Appeal Court rules on matters affecting the leadership of the party.
‘Our optimism lies in the fact that we submitted ourselves to the jurisdiction of the courts and we believe in the judiciary in its complete sense.
‘When you look at the case, you will see that the law, as it is, especially the position of the Supreme Court, supports our matter.
‘So we are hopeful that justice, according to law, will be done. At the end of the day, democracy must survive. The multi-party system must survive because that is more important.
Similarly, the National Publicity Secretary of the caretaker committee, Hon. Jungudo Mohammed, said: ‘Yes, we are very optimistic in the sense that the provisions of the law, and the precedents already established by the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal, give us strong confidence that the judgment will be in our favour.
‘You cannot violate the Electoral Act, the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and the constitution of the party in conducting a convention.
‘Not only were these violated, but there was also disobedience to existing court judgements. You cannot do that and expect it to stand, because what they did amounted to building something on nothing. So we are quite optimistic.
The PDP Governors Forum also expressed confidence in the judiciary and called on all party members to stay calm ahead of the judgement.
In a statement on Sunday, its Director General, Dr. Emmanuel Agbo, reaffirmed that the party remained committed to offering Nigerians a strong, credible, and people-focused political alternative.
The statement read: ‘The Peoples Democratic Party Governors’ Forum (PDP-GF), under the chairmanship of Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, the Governor of Bauchi State, on behalf of the forum, wilfully addresses the party members and faithful as Nigeria awaits the ruling of the Appeal Court tomorrow, Monday, March 9, 2026, on the leadership crisis within the PDP.
‘We stand at a defining moment for our democracy. The judiciary, as the custodian of justice, carries the weight of ensuring fairness, impartiality, and the preservation of national stability.
‘Whatever the decision may be, the PDP reaffirms its respect for the judicial process and its commitment to peace.
‘We call on all party members and leaders to show maximum restraint, calm, and be law-abiding before, during, and after the judgement, as leadership will meet immediately to review the judgment and chart the necessary post-judgement line of action’.
