By Peter Omopo
Factions within the Peoples Democratic Party aligned with Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, have expressed confidence ahead of the Court of Appeal judgment scheduled for Monday on the party’s leadership dispute.
Spokespersons for the rival camps confirmed that the appellate court in Abuja fixed the consolidated cases involving the party for judgment.
The National Publicity Secretary of the National Working Committee led by Tanimu Turaki (SAN), Ini Ememobong, said the faction backed by PDP governors including Makinde and Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed remained optimistic that the ruling would affirm its leadership.
Similarly, Jungudo Mohammed, spokesperson of the caretaker committee aligned with Wike and led by Mohammed Abdulrahman as Acting National Chairman and Samuel Anyanwu as Acting National Secretary, also expressed confidence that the court would rule in their favour.
The PDP governors had earlier endorsed the Ibadan convention held on November 15, which produced Turaki and other members of the National Working Committee for a four-year tenure. They also supervised the transition of leadership from former acting chairman Umar Damagum to Turaki before Damagum’s tenure expired in December.
However, a rival faction loyal to the FCT minister constituted a 13-member caretaker committee on December 8 with a 60-day mandate.
Efforts by both factions to hold meetings at the party’s national secretariat, Wadata Plaza, on November 18, 2025, turned violent, resulting in disorder and physical clashes. The Nigeria Police subsequently sealed the secretariat, which has remained closed.
Both groups later sought recognition from the Independent National Electoral Commission, but the commission declined to recognise either faction, leading to a series of legal disputes.
One of the cases before the Appeal Court, suit FHC/ABJ/CS/2120/2025, earlier halted the party’s convention until it complies with the PDP constitution, the Nigerian Constitution, and the Electoral Act. The case was filed by three party members from Imo, Abia, and the South-South zone.
Another case was filed by former governor Sule Lamido, in which the court restrained INEC from supervising or recognising any PDP convention that excluded him as a contestant.
Additional cases, including one from the Oyo State High Court and another challenging the closure of the party’s secretariat, were also consolidated before the appellate court.
After hearing the cases on February 12, the Court of Appeal informed parties that judgment would be delivered on Monday, a decision expected to determine the leadership structure of the party.
The Wike-aligned faction said existing legal precedents, including Supreme Court rulings on internal party disputes, support its position and expressed confidence that the court would invalidate the disputed convention.
On the other hand, the Turaki-led National Working Committee maintained that the law and previous Supreme Court positions support its case, adding that the leadership has confidence in the judiciary.
Meanwhile, the PDP Governors’ Forum called for calm among party members ahead of the judgment.
In a statement issued by its Director General, Emmanuel Agbo, the forum said the party respects the judicial process and remains committed to peace regardless of the outcome.
The forum urged members to remain law-abiding before, during, and after the ruling, noting that party leadership would review the judgment and determine the next line of action.
The PDP also reaffirmed its commitment to participating fully in the democratic process ahead of the 2027 general election, stressing that the party remains focused on presenting a credible political alternative for Nigerians.
Meanwhile, a PDP governorship aspirant in Lagos State, Funso Doherty, had earlier urged the President of the Court of Appeal to expedite the ruling, warning that uncertainty over the party’s leadership could complicate preparations for the 2027 elections.
Doherty said the outcome of the appeal would significantly influence the party’s internal processes, including preparations for primaries scheduled to begin on April 23, 2026, according to the timetable released by the Independent National Electoral Commission.
