On Thursday, February 12, 2026, the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal reserved its judgment regarding nine appeals stemming from the leadership friction within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
These appeals challenge several Federal High Court rulings that had initially sought to block the party’s national convention held in Ibadan, Oyo State, on November 15 and 16.
Despite those lower court orders, the convention proceeded and resulted in the selection of Tanimu Turaki, SAN, as the National Chairman.
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A three-member appellate panel confirmed that a date for the final verdict would be relayed to the involved parties after the formal adoption of all legal processes.
The legal arguments during the session highlighted the deep divide between the rival factions.
Chief Chris Uche, SAN, representing the PDP and its national committees, contended that the October 31, 2025, judgment by Justice James Omotosho was delivered without proper jurisdiction.
He urged the court to dismiss the opposition’s “misconceived preliminary objections” and set aside the trial court’s orders.
In contrast, Joseph Daudu, SAN, appearing for several respondents, argued that leadership disputes are internal party matters that the court should not entertain, while other respondents dismissed the appeal as a mere “academic exercise” lacking any real merit.
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The controversy originated from three distinct judgments at the Federal High Court. Justice Omotosho had originally halted the convention because the PDP failed to meet statutory requirements, including the mandatory 21-day notice to INEC.
He ruled that while political parties generally manage their own affairs, the failure to follow subsidiary legislation—which he noted “has the force of law”—allowed for judicial intervention.
He further stated that notices signed only by the National Chairman without the National Secretary were a “nullity,” concluding that “this suit is not an internal affair of the PDP and plaintiffs have the legal right to institute action.”
Additionally, Justice Peter Lifu had restrained the party from moving forward with the convention following a lawsuit from a former Jigawa State governor who claimed he was blocked from purchasing a nomination form.
Justice Lifu ruled that the balance of convenience favored the plaintiff, as the PDP had failed to publish a proper timetable.
With the appellate court now reviewing these combined issues and the ruling of Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, the legal status of the current Tanimu Turaki-led executive remains uncertain until the reserved judgment is delivered.
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