PDP crisis: Makinde camp to challenge Appeal Court ruling at S’Court

Fresh tension has erupted in the Peoples Democratic Party as the faction aligned with Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and led by Tanimu Turaki (SAN) announced plans to approach the Supreme Court following a setback at the Court of Appeal in Abuja.

The appellate court on Monday upheld the judgment of the Federal High Court restraining the Independent National Electoral Commission from recognising the outcome of the PDP’s national convention held in Ibadan, Oyo State, on November 15, 2025.

The court also affirmed the suspension of the party’s National Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade (SAN), and other officials.

Reacting to the judgment, the PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, said the party would challenge the ruling at the Supreme Court, insisting that the convention remained an internal affair of the party.

He noted that party leaders were already consulting on the next steps while instructing lawyers to file an appeal at the apex court.

The leadership crisis within the PDP stems from rival factions battling for control of the party following the Ibadan convention, which elected Turaki and other members of the National Working Committee for a four-year tenure.

The convention, endorsed by PDP governors, also marked the leadership transition from former acting chairman Umar Damagum to Turaki after Damagum’s tenure ended on December 9, 2025.

However, a rival camp loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, rejected the convention and instead constituted a 13-member caretaker committee on December 8, 2025.

The committee is headed by Mohammed Abdulrahman as acting national chairman, with Samuel Anyanwu serving as acting national secretary.

Efforts by both factions to hold meetings at the party’s national secretariat, Wadata Plaza in Abuja, later degenerated into chaos, prompting the Nigeria Police Force to seal the building.

Both factions subsequently sought recognition from INEC, but the commission declined to recognise either side, leading to several court cases over the party’s leadership.

In Monday’s judgment, a three-member panel of the Court of Appeal led by Justice Uchechukwu Onyemenam dismissed Turaki’s appeal challenging the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court.

The appellate court held that the dispute could not be dismissed as an internal party affair, noting that the case involved violations of constitutional and statutory provisions.

The court further ruled that the PDP failed to comply with legal requirements before holding the convention, including the mandatory notice to INEC and valid congresses in at least 14 states.

According to the court, strict compliance with the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria, the Electoral Act 2022 and party regulations is essential for democratic governance.

The panel consequently dismissed the appeal and awarded N2 million in costs against the appellants.

The appellate court also upheld an earlier Federal High Court judgment delivered by Justice James Omotosho, which barred INEC from recognising the outcome of the convention until the party complied with legal provisions.

In a related decision, the court affirmed another Federal High Court ruling by Justice Peter Lifu directing the PDP to allow former Jigawa State governor Sule Lamido to contest the party’s national chairmanship.

The court held that the PDP acted in contempt by proceeding with the convention despite the subsisting court order.

Speaking after the judgment, Turaki maintained that courts should not interfere in internal party matters but said the party would study the judgment before taking further action.

Meanwhile, Anyanwu described the ruling as a victory for democracy and urged party members to unite and reposition the PDP ahead of future political activities.

Reacting to the decision, Wike said the ruling vindicated his earlier warnings that the convention violated constitutional and electoral provisions.

The FCT minister described the judgment as a victory for the rule of law and urged party members to reconcile and rebuild the opposition party.

Wike also disclosed that preparations were underway for a fresh PDP national convention scheduled for March 29 and 30, 2026, in Abuja.

He said a venue had been secured near the National Stadium after the earlier location became unavailable.

Similarly, PDP presidential aspirant Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim called on party leaders to move beyond the dispute and focus on rebuilding unity within the party.

The Edo State chapter of the PDP also welcomed the ruling, describing it as a victory for party discipline, institutional supremacy and the rule of law within the opposition party.