THE leadership crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) reaches a decisive moment on Monday as the **Court of Appeal of Nigeria in Abuja delivers judgment on nine consolidated appeals filed by rival factions within the party.
News Point Nigeria reports that the highly anticipated ruling is expected to determine the legitimate leadership of Nigeria’s main opposition party after months of legal battles, political maneuvering and internal divisions.
Notices sent to the parties by the court’s registry confirmed that the appellate court will deliver its verdict on the appeals challenging various decisions of the **Federal High Court in Abuja.
A three-member panel of the appellate court had earlier heard arguments from lawyers representing the parties on February 12 before reserving judgment for a later date.
The crisis stems from disagreements over the PDP’s national convention held in Ibadan, Oyo State, on November 15 and 16, 2025, which produced Tanimu Turaki (SAN) as the party’s National Chairman for a four-year tenure.
However, the process that led to the convention was challenged in court by aggrieved party members who argued that the PDP violated provisions of its constitution and relevant electoral laws.
Two key judgments delivered by the Federal High Court in Abuja halted the convention and questioned its legality.
In a suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2120/2025, Justice James Omotosho ruled on October 31, 2025, that the PDP failed to comply with statutory procedures required before conducting its national convention.
The suit was filed by three party members — Austin Nwachukwu, the PDP Chairman in Imo State; Amah Abraham Nnanna, PDP Chairman in Abia State; and Turnah Alabh George, the party’s South-South Secretary.
The defendants in the suit included the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the PDP, its National Secretary Samuel Anyanwu, National Organising Secretary Umar Bature, as well as the party’s National Working Committee and National Executive Committee.
In his judgment, Justice Omotosho restrained INEC from recognising the outcome of the convention planned for Ibadan, citing multiple violations of electoral guidelines and the party’s constitution.
The court held that the PDP failed to issue the mandatory 21-day notice to INEC before holding congresses and meetings, a requirement under the Electoral Act.
The judge also noted that evidence presented before the court showed that congresses were not conducted in some states of the federation.
He further ruled that official correspondence issued by the party’s National Chairman without the endorsement of the National Secretary contravened the law and rendered such notices invalid.
Another ruling came from Justice Peter Lifu on November 14, 2025, in a suit filed by former Jigawa State governor Sule Lamido.
Lamido had asked the court to halt the convention on the grounds that he was denied the opportunity to contest for the position of national chairman.
The court upheld the claim and restrained the party from proceeding with the convention until it complied with legal requirements and resolved the dispute.
Despite the legal challenges, the convention went ahead and produced Turaki as national chairman with the backing of several PDP governors, including Seyi Makinde, Governor of Oyo State, and Bala Mohammed, Governor of Bauchi State.
The governors also supervised the transition of leadership from former acting chairman Umar Damagum to Turaki before Damagum’s tenure expired on December 9.
However, a rival faction aligned with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, rejected the outcome of the convention.
The group subsequently constituted a 13-member caretaker committee on December 8, appointing Abdulrahman Mohammed as Acting National Chairman and Samuel Anyanwu as Acting National Secretary.
The caretaker committee was given a 60-day mandate to reorganise the party and prepare for a fresh convention.
The internal crisis soon escalated into open confrontation.
Attempts by both factions to hold meetings at the PDP National Secretariat, Wadata Plaza in Abuja, on November 18, 2025, reportedly descended into chaos, with party members engaging in physical altercations.
Following the disturbances, the **Nigeria Police Force sealed the secretariat, which has remained closed since then.
Both factions subsequently sought recognition from INEC, but the electoral commission declined to recognise either side pending the outcome of the legal disputes.
Several cases arising from the crisis were eventually consolidated at the Court of Appeal.
Among them is the appeal relating to suit FHC/ABJ/CS/2120/2025, which halted the convention due to non-compliance with provisions of the PDP constitution, the **Federal Republic of Nigeria Constitution and the Electoral Act.
Another case involves Lamido’s lawsuit challenging his exclusion from the convention.
Additional cases include one originating from the Oyo State High Court and another concerning the police closure of the PDP secretariat.
Ahead of the judgment, both factions expressed strong confidence that the ruling would favour them.
The National Publicity Secretary of the Turaki-led National Working Committee, Ini Ememobong, said the party had faith in the judiciary and believed the court would strengthen democracy through its ruling.
He said the PDP submitted itself to the jurisdiction of the court and expected justice to be delivered in accordance with the law.
According to him, the party’s ultimate goal remains the survival of democracy and the sustenance of Nigeria’s multi-party political system.
On the other hand, the faction aligned with Wike also expressed optimism.
Its spokesman, Jungudo Mohammed, argued that established precedents by the **Supreme Court of Nigeria and the Court of Appeal supported their position.
He insisted that the PDP convention violated the Electoral Act and existing court orders, describing the process as fundamentally flawed.
According to him, the legal principle that courts cannot intervene in internal party affairs does not apply where laws are violated.
Meanwhile, the PDP Governors Forum has urged party members across the country to remain calm and respect the judicial process.
In a statement issued on Sunday by its Director-General, Dr Emmanuel Agbo, the forum said the ruling represents a defining moment for Nigeria’s democracy.
The forum reiterated the party’s commitment to peace and respect for the rule of law regardless of the outcome of the judgment.
It also called on party leaders and supporters to maintain restraint before, during and after the ruling.