Appeal Court Reserves Judgment in PDP Leadership Dispute Over Contested National Convention

The Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, has reserved judgment in nine separate appeals arising from the leadership crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), following decisions of the Federal High Court that halted the party’s November 15 and 16, 2025 National Convention in Ibadan, Oyo State.

The convention, which proceeded amid controversy, produced Tanimu Turaki, SAN, as the National Chairman alongside other national officers. However, the legitimacy of the exercise has been challenged in court, prompting a series of rulings that are now under appellate review.

A three-member panel of the appellate court fixed judgment for a date to be communicated to the parties after counsel adopted their respective written briefs and preliminary objections in the consolidated appeals.

Dispute Over Jurisdiction and Internal Party Affairs

One of the appeals, marked CA/ABJ/CV/1613/2025, lists the PDP, its National Working Committee and National Executive Committee as appellants. The respondents include the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Austin Nwachukwu, Amah Abraham Nnanna, Turnah George, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, Umar Damagun, Ali Odefa and Emmanuel Ogidi.

Adopting the appellants’ brief filed on November 20, 2025, Chief Chris Uche, SAN, argued that the October 31, 2025 judgment delivered by Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court was made without jurisdiction. He described the preliminary objections raised against the appeal as misconceived and urged the appellate court to set aside both the judgment and the consequential orders of the trial court.

On the other hand, counsel to the first to third respondents, Joseph Daudu, SAN, maintained that matters relating to the leadership of a political party fall within the internal affairs of the party and are therefore outside the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court. He urged the court to uphold the preliminary objections and dismiss the appeal. Other respondents similarly contended that the appeal lacked merit and amounted to an academic exercise.

Federal High Court Rulings and Compliance Issues

The appeals stem from three separate judgments delivered by Justices James Omotosho, Peter Lifu and Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court, Abuja.

In his October 30, 2025 ruling, Justice Omotosho restrained the PDP from holding its National Convention pending compliance with statutory requirements under the party’s constitution and the Electoral Act. The suit was instituted by three party members — Austin Nwachukwu (Imo PDP Chairman), Amah Abraham Nnanna (Abia PDP Chairman) and Turnah Alabh George (PDP Secretary, South-South) — who alleged violations of electoral laws in the process leading to the convention.

Justice Omotosho held that INEC bears responsibility for ensuring that political parties comply with constitutional and statutory provisions in conducting meetings, congresses and conventions. He ruled that the PDP failed to issue the mandatory 21-day notice to INEC and that certain congresses were not conducted in some states as required by law. He further held that notices signed solely by the National Chairman, without the National Secretary, were invalid. According to the court, non-compliance with INEC regulations and subsidiary legislation cannot be classified as an internal party matter, as such regulations carry the force of law.

Similarly, on November 11, 2025, Justice Peter Lifu restrained the PDP from proceeding with the convention and barred INEC from supervising or recognising its outcome. The order followed a suit filed by a former Governor of Jigawa State who alleged he was denied the opportunity to purchase a nomination form for the chairmanship position. The court held that the PDP failed to publish a proper timetable and concluded that the balance of convenience favoured the plaintiff.

Processes relating to the appeal against the ruling of Justice Joyce Abdulmalik were also adopted before the appellate panel, which reserved judgment in all nine appeals.

PDP Awaiting Appellate Determination

The appellate court’s forthcoming decision is expected to clarify the legal boundaries between internal party governance and statutory compliance under Nigeria’s electoral framework. The outcome may have significant implications for the PDP’s leadership structure and the role of INEC in supervising party activities.

Until judgment is delivered, the dispute remains unresolved, leaving the PDP leadership question subject to judicial determination.