Legal fireworks over the controversial national convention of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) begin at the Court of Appeal in Abuja on February 12, 2026, as the judiciary moves to determine the validity of the exercise that reshaped the party’s leadership.
A three-member panel of the appellate court led by Justice Mohammed Danjuma on Tuesday fixed the date to hear eight appeals challenging the November 15 and 16, 2025 convention held in Ibadan, Oyo State. The convention produced the Tanimu Turaki-led National Executive Committee of the party.
The appeals stem from three conflicting judgments delivered by different courts over the legality of the convention.
Factional Battle Moves to Court
The appeals were filed by a faction aligned with Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, which is seeking to wrest control of the party from loyalists of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.
In the build-up to the convention, two judges of the Federal High Court in Abuja restrained the PDP from proceeding with the exercise. However, a High Court in Ibadan gave the party the green light and directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to monitor and recognise its outcome.
Justice Olaniran Akintola of the Oyo State High Court, in an ex-parte ruling filed by PDP member Folahan Malomo Adelabi, ordered INEC to attend and monitor the convention for the election of new national officers.
Akintola also restrained parties in suit number /1336/2025 from taking any action capable of frustrating the conduct of the convention pending the hearing of the motion on notice.
The ruling came barely 72 hours after Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja issued a contrary order barring INEC from recognising the outcome of the Ibadan convention.
Conflicting Judgments
Justice Omotosho, in a suit filed by aggrieved PDP members — including Imo PDP Chairman Austin Nwachukwu, Abia PDP Chairman Amah Abraham Nnanna, and PDP South-South Secretary Turnah Alabh George — held that INEC should not recognise any convention conducted in breach of the law.
“INEC should not accept the results of any convention in breach of the law,” Omotosho ruled, further restraining the electoral umpire from publishing on its website any action done contrary to the Electoral Act.
He argued that the matter went beyond the internal affairs of the party, stating that the plaintiffs were not contesting leadership positions but seeking to compel INEC to perform its statutory duty of ensuring compliance with electoral laws.
“A suit challenging the executive decision of INEC is not an internal affair of a political party,” he held.
According to Omotosho, while INEC may lack the power to physically stop political parties from holding conventions, it is empowered under the Electoral Act to invalidate any that fail to meet legal requirements.
In a separate ruling, Justice Peter Lifu also restrained the PDP from proceeding with the convention on grounds that former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido was allegedly excluded from contesting the national chairmanship position.
Appeal Court to Decide PDP’s Fate
With multiple and conflicting court orders trailing the convention, the Court of Appeal is now set to examine the merits of the claims and counter-claims.
Political observers say the February 12 hearing could prove decisive for the future direction of the PDP, as the appellate court’s decision is expected to either validate or nullify the leadership that emerged from the Ibadan convention.
The outcome may also shape the balance of power between rival blocs within Nigeria’s main opposition party.
