A three-member panel of the Court of Appeal sitting in Ibadan, Oyo State, on Wednesday granted parties involved in the elective convention dispute of the Peoples Democratic Party leave to resolve the matter out of court.
The panel, led by Justice Biobele Georgewill, subsequently adjourned the case sine die following the decision of counsel representing the parties to pursue a settlement.
Court urges Peaceful Resolution
Justice Georgewill urged the lawyers and the parties they represent to seek an amicable resolution of the dispute in the interest of the party.
The appellate court also advised the parties to consider the timetable released by the Independent National Electoral Commission for the 2027 general elections while pursuing the settlement process.
“The Court has granted leave for settlement in this matter. Also, the case has been adjourned sine die to allow all the parties to meet, either individually or collectively, to resolve the case pending before the appellate court peacefully,” Georgewill said.
“All the parties involved should be mindful of the election timetable released by INEC. The counsel representing the various parties are in the best position to advise those they represent.
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“The Court should be duly informed in writing of the decision reached, whether they agree or disagree on the terms of settlement. Consequently, all the pending motions on notice in this case have been adjourned sine die,” he added.
Conflicting Court Rulings on PDP Convention
The development comes after the Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja on Monday invalidated the PDP elective convention held in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
In its ruling, the appellate court upheld the decision of the party’s disciplinary committee concerning some of its members.
However, earlier, Justice Ladiran Akintola of the Oyo State High Court sitting in Ibadan had validated the same convention.
The suit was filed by Folahan Adelabi through his counsel, Musibau Adetunmbi, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria.
Lawyers Express Willingness to Settle
Following Wednesday’s proceedings, counsel for the parties expressed readiness to explore settlement.
Speaking to journalists on behalf of the other lawyers, Senior Advocate of Nigeria Sunday Ibrahim said the parties had indicated their willingness to resolve the dispute and would report back to the court after consultations.
“On that note, we will make no further comment because doing so may prejudice the envisaged settlement,” Ibrahim said.
He added that discussions during the settlement meetings could also address issues relating to the INEC election timetable.
Also commenting, Adetunmbi said the court had adjourned all matters relating to the PDP elective convention sine die.
Rafiyat Sadiq is a political, justice, and human rights reporter with Pinnacle Daily, known for fearless reporting and impactful storytelling. At Pinnacle Daily, she brings clarity and depth to issues shaping governance, democracy, and the protection of citizens’ rights.
