Leadership Battle in PDP: Appeal Court Rejects Turaki Group’s Appeal

The Court of Appeal in Abuja has dismissed an appeal filed by a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party, affirming an earlier judgment that stopped the Independent National Electoral Commission from recognising the outcome of the party’s disputed national convention held in Ibadan, Oyo State.

In a unanimous decision delivered by a three member panel of justices, the appellate court ruled that the appeal filed by the group linked to Kabiru Turaki lacked merit. The court upheld the earlier judgment delivered on 31 October 2025 by Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, which held that the convention did not comply with the constitution of the PDP.

The Court of Appeal also ordered the Turaki faction to pay two million naira in damages for filing what the court described as an unmeritorious appeal. The justices further affirmed a separate ruling delivered on 14 November 2025 by Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court. That decision directed the PDP not to proceed with its national convention unless former Jigawa State governor Sule Lamido was allowed to contest for the position of national chairman.

According to the appellate court, the PDP failed to obey a valid court order when it went ahead with the convention in Ibadan in November without including Lamido as a contestant for the chairmanship position despite being a registered member of the party.

The court also rejected the argument by the PDP faction that it proceeded with the convention based on an order issued by another court of coordinate jurisdiction. The justices held that a political party could not selectively choose which court order to obey, stressing that compliance with valid court rulings is mandatory.

In total, the Court of Appeal considered nine separate appeals connected to the PDP leadership dispute. The appeals arose from different judgments delivered by Federal High Court judges including Justices James Omotosho, Peter Lifu and Joyce Abdulmalik. After reviewing the matters together, the appellate court delivered a single judgment covering all the appeals.

The legal battle began when Sule Lamido approached the court, arguing that the organisers of the planned convention had unfairly removed his name from the list of candidates seeking to contest for the national chairman position. He claimed that the action violated his rights as a legitimate member of the party.

Following the convention, the leadership group associated with Kabiru Turaki also approached the Federal High Court seeking an order directing the electoral commission to recognise the outcome of the convention. However, Justice Uche Agomoh rejected the request, ruling that the group had already disobeyed earlier court orders and therefore had no basis to seek relief from the court.

The appeal that followed led to Monday’s judgment by the Court of Appeal, which effectively reinforces the earlier rulings against the convention and the faction behind it.

The decision is expected to play a significant role in determining the legitimate leadership of the PDP, particularly as the Independent National Electoral Commission has already announced the timetable for the 2027 general elections. According to the commission, political parties are expected to conduct their primary elections between 23 April and 30 May this year.

The leadership crisis within the PDP has deepened divisions in the party. One faction is believed to be aligned with governors including Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State and Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State. Another faction is widely seen as loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, who has remained in the PDP despite serving in the cabinet of President Bola Tinubu of the ruling All Progressives Congress.

The ongoing dispute has also led to growing defections within the party. Several members, including lawmakers and political leaders, have left the PDP amid fears that the internal crisis could weaken the party ahead of the next general elections.

Before the 2023 elections, the PDP governed several states across the country including Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Delta, Oyo, Osun, Plateau, Rivers, Taraba and Zamfara. However, the party has since lost influence in a number of these states as political realignments continue.

Last week, Mustapha Kaura, spokesperson to the Zamfara State governor, said the governor was waiting for the outcome of the Court of Appeal ruling before deciding whether to remain in the PDP. He added that the governor had not confirmed any plan to join the ruling APC if he eventually leaves the party.

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