Rival factions within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have expressed confidence ahead of a crucial judgment by the Court of Appeal of Nigeria on the party’s leadership dispute.
Supporters of the PDP governors’ camp and allies of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, said they are optimistic that Monday’s ruling by the appellate court in Abuja will favour their respective positions in the ongoing legal battle over the party’s leadership structure.
The National Publicity Secretary of the National Working Committee aligned with Tanimu Turaki (SAN), Ini Ememobong, confirmed that the Court of Appeal had scheduled the consolidated cases involving the PDP for judgment.
Similarly, the National Publicity Secretary of the caretaker committee led by Mohammed Abdulrahman and Samuel Anyanwu, Jungudo Mohammed, also confirmed that the court would decide the leadership dispute.
Both factions expressed optimism that the judgment would favour their claims to the party’s leadership.
The faction supported by several PDP governors, including Seyi Makinde of Oyo State and Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, emerged from the party’s convention held in Ibadan on November 15.
The convention produced Turaki and other members of the National Working Committee (NWC) for a four-year tenure.
The governors also supervised the transition of leadership from former acting national chairman Umar Damagum to Mr Turaki before Damagum’s tenure expired on December 9.
Wike-Aligned faction forms caretaker committee
Meanwhile, a faction loyal to FCT minister Wike constituted a 13-member caretaker committee on December 8.
The committee appointed Mr Abdulrahman as acting national chairman and Mr Anyanwu as acting national secretary with a 60-day mandate to oversee the party’s affairs.
Crisis deepens at PDP secretariat
Tensions escalated on November 18, 2025, when both factions attempted to hold separate meetings at the PDP National Secretariat located at Wadata Plaza.
The situation reportedly turned chaotic, leading to disorder and physical altercations among party members.
Following the incident, the Nigeria Police Force sealed the party’s secretariat, which has remained closed since the confrontation.
Legal battles over Party leadership
Both factions subsequently sought recognition from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), but the electoral body declined to recognize either group.
The refusal triggered a series of lawsuits challenging the legality of the party’s convention and leadership structure.
One of the consolidated cases before the appellate court is suit FHC/ABJ/CS/2120/2025, which earlier halted the PDP convention until it complies fully with the party constitution, the Constitution of Nigeria, and the Electoral Act.
The suit was filed by party members Austin Nwachukwu, Amah Abraham Nnanna, and Turnah Alabh George.
Another case was instituted by former governor Sule Lamido, in which Justice Peter Lifu ordered INEC not to supervise or recognise any PDP convention that excluded him as a contestant.
Mr Wike’s camp expresses optimism
Speaking on the expected judgment, Mr Jungudo Mohammed said legal precedents established by the courts give the faction confidence.
“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,” he said.
“You cannot violate the Electoral Act, the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and the constitution of the party in conducting a convention.”
Mr Turaki-led NWC expresses confidence in the judiciary
In his response, Mr Ememobong said the party leadership had confidence in the judiciary and believed the ruling would strengthen democracy.
“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,” he said.
“At the end of the day, democracy must survive. The multi-party system must survive because that is more important.”
PDP Governors’ forum calls for calm
The PDP Governors Forum also called for calm among party members ahead of the ruling.
In a statement, the Director General of the forum, Emmanuel Agbo, urged members to remain peaceful regardless of the outcome.
“We stand at a defining moment for our democracy. Whatever the decision may be, the PDP reaffirms its respect for the judicial process and its commitment to peace,” the statement read.
Political observers say the court’s decision will be pivotal in determining the leadership structure of the PDP and shaping the party’s preparations for the 2027 general elections.
Uncertainty over the party’s leadership could affect its primaries and the legitimacy of candidates presented for the elections.
Earlier, a PDP governorship aspirant in Lagos State, Funso Doherty, urged the appellate court to expedite its ruling.
In a letter dated March 5, 2026, Mr Doherty warned that prolonged uncertainty could complicate the party’s preparations for the next election cycle.
“The pendency or outcome of these appeals will significantly affect not just the internal preparations and processes leading to the PDP’s party primaries and related electoral activities but also the validity and legitimacy of the ballot options that will be presented to the Nigerian public on election day,” he wrote.
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