News, Politics

PDP Leadership Crisis Deepens as Turaki Camp Heads to Supreme Court After Appeal Court Setback

Published by Samuel Ayomide on March 10th, 2026.

The leadership crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) intensified on Monday after the faction led by Tanimu Turaki (SAN) announced plans to approach the Supreme Court, following a Court of Appeal ruling that invalidated the outcome of the party’s national convention held in Ibadan, Oyo State.

The appellate court, sitting in Abuja, upheld an earlier judgment of the Federal High Court which restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising the results of the convention conducted on November 15, 2025. The ruling also affirmed the suspension of the party’s National Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade (SAN), alongside other top officials.

Reacting to the decision, the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, disclosed in a statement that the party’s legal team had been instructed to challenge the verdict at the Supreme Court, insisting that matters relating to party conventions remain internal affairs of the political organisation.

According to Ememobong, the party remains optimistic that the apex court will provide a definitive interpretation of the issues raised in the dispute and bring clarity to the lingering leadership crisis.

“The operationalisation of the judgment could impose serious hardship on our members. As a result, we have directed our lawyers to immediately initiate an appeal at the Supreme Court, which is the final authority on such matters,” the statement said.

The crisis stems from disagreements over the legitimacy of the Ibadan convention, which was endorsed by PDP governors and produced Turaki and other members of the National Working Committee (NWC) for a four-year tenure.

The convention also marked the transition of leadership from the former acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, whose tenure ended in December 2025.

However, a rival faction aligned with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, rejected the convention and constituted a 13-member caretaker committee on December 8, 2025. The committee, chaired by Mohammed Abdulrahman with Samuel Anyanwu serving as acting National Secretary, was given a 60-day mandate to oversee party affairs.

The disagreement between the two camps escalated when attempts by both factions to hold meetings at the party’s National Secretariat in Abuja led to disorder. The Nigeria Police subsequently sealed the Wadata Plaza complex, leaving the party headquarters closed for months.

Both factions later sought recognition from INEC, but the electoral body declined to recognise either side, prompting multiple lawsuits.

Delivering its judgment, the Court of Appeal ruled that the Federal High Court was right to assume jurisdiction over the matter, rejecting the argument that the dispute was strictly an internal party issue.

The three-member panel led by Justice Uchechukwu Onyemenam held that the PDP failed to comply with statutory requirements necessary for holding a valid national convention.

Among the violations identified by the court were the party’s failure to issue the mandatory notice to INEC ahead of the convention and the absence of properly conducted congresses in more than 14 states before the event.

The court emphasised that compliance with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution, the Electoral Act 2022 and party regulations is essential for maintaining democratic standards.

“Non-compliance with the Constitution, the Electoral Act and party guidelines undermines democratic governance, and such provisions must be strictly observed,” the court ruled.

In addition, the appellate court affirmed the suspension of Ajibade as National Legal Adviser and dismissed Turaki’s appeal, awarding N2 million in costs against the appellants.

The ruling reinforced an earlier judgment delivered by Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court on October 31, 2025, which restrained INEC from recognising the outcome of the convention until the party complied with relevant legal provisions.

The Federal High Court had found that the PDP failed to conduct congresses in several states and did not provide the required 21-day notice to INEC, which is necessary to enable the commission to monitor party activities.

The suit challenging the convention was filed by three PDP members — Austin Nwachukwu, chairman of the party in Imo State; Amah Abraham Nnanna, chairman in Abia State; and Turnah Alabh George, the South-South zonal secretary.

The appellate court also affirmed another ruling which restrained the party from conducting the convention without allowing former Jigawa State governor Sule Lamido to participate as a chairmanship aspirant.

The judges ruled that the PDP acted in defiance of an earlier court order by proceeding with the convention despite a directive requiring the party to accommodate Lamido’s participation.

Reacting to the judgment, Turaki maintained that courts should refrain from interfering in the internal administration of political parties.

“These are matters that should ordinarily be resolved internally by political parties. We believe the courts should avoid meddling in purely political issues,” he told journalists shortly after the ruling.

Meanwhile, the Wike-led faction welcomed the court’s decision and called for reconciliation within the party.

Speaking to reporters in Abuja, Wike described the judgment as a victory for the rule of law and due process.

“Today is one of my happiest days because it confirms that rules must be followed. When you violate the Constitution, the Electoral Act and your party’s guidelines, it ceases to be an internal matter,” he said.

The former Rivers State governor argued that the ruling reaffirmed the need for political parties to respect legal frameworks governing their operations.

Wike also urged party members to put aside personal interests and work toward rebuilding the PDP ahead of future elections.

“For me, this is an opportunity for everyone to return to the table and find a way to salvage the party. Ego and personal ambition must be set aside,” he said.

He added that arrangements had already been concluded for a fresh national convention scheduled for March 29 and 30, 2026, in Abuja.

Other party stakeholders have also called for unity. PDP presidential aspirant Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim described the situation as a family dispute that should be resolved quickly to allow the party to refocus on national politics.

Similarly, the Edo State chapter of the PDP hailed the appellate court’s decision, describing it as a victory for institutional discipline and adherence to the party’s constitutional framework.

Observers say the outcome of the anticipated Supreme Court appeal may determine the future direction of the PDP as it prepares for upcoming political contests and attempts to reposition itself as a viable opposition force in Nigeria.