The Court of Appeal in Abuja has upheld the judgments of the Federal High Court restraining the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising the outcome of the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) disputed national convention held in Ibadan, Oyo State, last November.
In a unanimous decision delivered by a three-member panel led by Justice Uchechukwu Onyemenam, the appellate court dismissed appeals filed by the Turaki-led faction of the PDP, headed by former Minister of Special Duties, Kabiru Turaki, SAN.
The faction had challenged the jurisdiction of the lower court and argued that the matters involved were internal party affairs.
The Court of Appeal ruled that the Federal High Court acted within its jurisdiction, noting that the appellants could not “repackage a clear violation of the party constitution and that of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as an internal party affair.”
Justice Onyemenam further highlighted that the PDP failed to comply with statutory requirements necessary for a valid national convention, including the proper notice to INEC and the conduct of valid congresses in over 14 states before the convention.
The ruling covers nine consolidated appeals arising from the party leadership tussle, affirming two previous Federal High Court judgments delivered by Justices James Omotosho and Peter Lifu in October and November 2025.
Justice Omotosho had earlier restrained INEC from accepting, publishing, or recognising the convention results, citing non-compliance with the 1999 Constitution, Electoral Act 2022, and the PDP’s own constitution. He found that notices issued by the party’s National Chairman without the National Secretary’s endorsement were invalid and that congresses were not held in several states, rendering the convention unlawful.
Similarly, Justice Lifu’s ruling had ordered that former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido be allowed to contest for the PDP national chairmanship and restrained INEC from supervising or recognising the convention without his inclusion.
The Court of Appeal affirmed both judgments, describing the Turaki-led faction’s conduct as contemptuous and dismissing claims that other courts’ judgments justified the faction’s actions.
The appellate court awarded N2 million in costs against the PDP Turaki faction for filing frivolous appeals and dismissed additional appeals filed by former party officers and lawyers who lacked proper standing. This includes appeals filed by former National Legal Adviser Kamaldeen Ajibade (SAN) and former National Chairman Umar Damagun, among others.
Following the judgment, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, Secretary of the Abdulrahman Mohammed-led PDP National Caretaker Committee, announced that the party would hold a national convention on March 28 and 29.
Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike, a leader of the Wike/Anyanwu faction, welcomed the ruling, urging reconciliation among party stakeholders. Former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose and party pioneer Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim also called for unity and a peaceful resolution of internal disputes.
The Court of Appeal’s decision effectively nullifies the leadership elected at the Ibadan convention and reinforces the need for strict adherence to constitutional provisions, Electoral Act guidelines, and party constitutions in Nigeria’s democratic processes.
The Turaki faction has indicated plans to appeal to the Supreme Court.
