The Court of Appeal, Abuja Division on Thursday reserved judgment in nine appeals filed by rival factions of the Peoples Democratic Party over Federal High Court decisions halting the party’s November 15 and 16, 2025, national convention held in Ibadan, Oyo State.
The convention produced Tanimu Turaki (SAN) as National Chairman alongside other national officers.
A three-member panel of the appellate court fixed judgment for a date to be communicated to the parties after adoption of all written processes in the appeals. One of the appeals, marked CA/ABJ/CV/1613/2025, listed the PDP, its National Working Committee, and National Executive Committee as appellants, while INEC, Austin Nwachukwu, Amah Abraham Nnanna, Turnah George, Samuel Anyanwu, Umar Damagum, Ali Odefa, and Emmanuel Ogidi were respondents.
Counsel for the appellants, Chief Chris Uche (SAN), adopting the brief filed on November 20, 2025, argued that the appeal challenges the October 31, 2025, judgment delivered by Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, asserting that the judgment was delivered without jurisdiction. He urged the appellate court to dismiss preliminary objections, set aside the trial court’s orders, and allow the appeal.
Counsel for the first to third respondents, Joseph Daudu (SAN), adopting their clients’ objections and briefs, urged the court to uphold the objections and dismiss the appeal. He argued that issues relating to a political party’s chairmanship were internal matters beyond the Federal High Court’s jurisdiction. Other respondents also described the appeal as lacking merit and an academic exercise, seeking its dismissal.
The nine appeals arose from separate judgments delivered by Justices James Omotosho, Peter Lifu, and Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court, Abuja. In his October 30, 2025, ruling, Justice Omotosho restrained the PDP from holding its 2025 national convention until statutory requirements under the party’s constitution and the Electoral Act were complied with. The order followed a suit filed by aggrieved party members Austin Nwachukwu, Amah Abraham Nnanna, and Turnah Alabh George, who challenged the convention over alleged electoral law violations.
Omotosho held that INEC was responsible for ensuring compliance with the Constitution and Electoral Act in political party congresses and conventions. He barred INEC from recognising or publishing the outcome of any convention not conducted according to due process, noting that notices signed solely by the national chairman without the national secretary were null and that the mandatory 21-day notice to INEC was not issued. The judge stated that noncompliance with INEC rules brought the matter outside internal party affairs, conferring jurisdiction on the court.
Similarly, on November 11, 2025, Justice Peter Lifu restrained the PDP from proceeding with the convention and barred INEC from supervising or recognising its outcome. The order followed a suit by former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido, who alleged denial of the opportunity to purchase a nomination form for the national chairmanship. Lifu held that the PDP failed to comply with relevant legal requirements, including publication of a timetable, and ruled in favour of the plaintiff.
Processes in the appeal against Justice Abdulmalik’s ruling were also adopted, with the appellate court reserving judgment to a date to be communicated to the parties.
