PDP asks Chief Judge to stop three judges from hearing party cases

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), led by National Chairman Kabiru Tanimu Turaki (SAN), has petitioned the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho, seeking to bar Justices James Omotosho, Peter Lifu and Joyce Abdulmalik from handling future cases involving the party.

In a letter signed by National Secretary Taofeek Arapaja, the PDP alleged a “recurring pattern” in which nearly all its cases in the Abuja Division were repeatedly assigned to the same three judges, despite the presence of nine others.

The party said the trend had created “public perception” that these courts were of “particular concern” regarding matters affecting the PDP.

The petition follows a series of rulings from the judges, including orders halting the party’s November 15–16 convention, compelling inclusion of former Jigawa Governor Sule Lamido as a chairmanship contestant, and reinstating the dissolved Cross River PDP executive.

Despite the orders, the PDP held its convention in Ibadan, electing Turaki and expelling several members, including FCT Minister Nyesom Wike.

The rival Wike-backed faction has since filed a fresh suit seeking to nullify the convention.

Reacting, the faction’s acting National Youth Leader, Timothy Osadolor, dismissed the petition as an “overreach,” accusing the Turaki camp of attempting to interfere with judicial discretion.

He defended the judges’ rulings as efforts to enforce the PDP’s constitution and said the aggrieved faction should appeal the judgments rather than “smear” judicial officers.

The party remains split, with both factions issuing conflicting directives and laying claim to legitimacy.