By Peter Omopo
The faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led by Kabiru Turaki has announced plans to appeal a ruling delivered on Friday by the Federal High Court sitting in Ibadan, which declined its request for an order of mandamus.
In its judgment, the court held that granting the application would amount to sitting on appeal over decisions already delivered by courts of coordinate jurisdiction. Reacting to the ruling, the Turaki-led faction described the outcome as “not unexpected.”
In a statement issued on Friday by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, and shared on his X handle, the faction said it had instructed its legal team to immediately file an appeal and take all necessary legal steps to protect its interests.
The group maintained that the PDP faction that emerged from the Ibadan Convention remains valid and unaffected by the court’s decision, stressing that it is legally intact and resolute.
According to the statement, the faction expressed confidence that the appellate courts would ultimately rule in its favour and urged party members to remain calm and focused, noting that there was “absolutely no cause for alarm.”
Reassuring supporters, the group said the party’s “rebirth” movement remains firmly on course despite ongoing legal challenges.
“We are aware of the judgment of the Federal High Court, Ibadan, delivered this morning, which declined to grant the order of mandamus sought on the ground that doing so would amount to sitting on appeal over judgments of courts of coordinate jurisdiction,” the statement said.
“We have accordingly briefed our lawyers to immediately file an appeal and take all further legal steps necessary to advance our arguments and firmly protect our position on this matter.
“Notwithstanding this judgment, the Kabiru Turaki–led Peoples Democratic Party, which emerged from the Ibadan Convention, remains legally intact and unshaken as we await the authoritative pronouncement of the appellate courts.
“We therefore urge our members to remain resolute and committed, as there is absolutely no cause for alarm. The rebirth movement remains firmly on course.”
