The Court of Appeal in Abuja has scheduled February 12 to hear a series of suits challenging the legality of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)’s national convention held on November 15 and 16, 2025, in Ibadan, Oyo State.
A three-member panel led by Justice Mohammed Danjuma will consider eight separate appeals questioning the validity of the convention that produced the Tanimu Turaki-led national working committee (NWC).
The appeals follow decisions delivered by three judges of the federal high court and one judge of a state high court.
Background of the Convention
In November 2025, a faction of the PDP convened a national convention in Ibadan, where 20 members of the NWC were elected.
Those elected included Tanimu Turaki as national chairman; Hamza Akuyan Koshe as deputy national chairman (north); Daniel Ambrose Woye as deputy national chairman (south); and Arapaja Taofeek Gbola-Oladejo as national secretary.
In the lead-up to the convention, courts issued conflicting orders on whether the event should proceed. On October 31, 2025, the federal high court in Abuja restrained the PDP from holding the convention.
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Judge James Omotosho held that the evidence presented indicated the party had failed to conduct valid state congresses in accordance with the 1999 Constitution, INEC guidelines, and the party’s constitution.
However, on November 4, 2025, Judge A.L. Akintola of the Oyo State High Court directed the PDP and former national chairman Umar Damagum to proceed with the convention as scheduled.
On November 11, 2025, Judge Peter Lifu of the federal high court in Abuja again restrained the PDP from holding the convention.
The judge based his order on alleged non-compliance with legal and procedural requirements.
He noted that Sule Lamido, former governor of Jigawa State, had shown that the convention timetable had not been properly published to party members, which would disadvantage him in contesting for the national chairman position.
The PDP faction loyal to Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), did not participate in the convention.
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.
