- A three-member panel of the appellate court adjourned for judgment after counsel in the various appeals
- The appeals stem from three judgments delivered by Justices James Omotosho, Peter Lifu
- The judge held that INEC has the authority to ensure that political parties comply with statutory requirements
The Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal on Thursday reserved judgment in nine separate appeals arising from disputes within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over its November 15 and 16, 2025, national convention in Ibadan, Oyo State.
Eko Hot Blog gathered that the convention produced Tanimu Turaki (SAN) as the party’s National Chairman, along with other members of the National Working Committee.
However, the event was challenged in court, leading to rulings by the Federal High Court that halted its recognition.
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A three-member panel of the appellate court adjourned for judgment after counsel in the various appeals adopted their written briefs. The court said a date for the decision would be communicated to the parties.
In one of the appeals, marked CA/ABJ/CV/1613/2025, the PDP, its National Working Committee, and National Executive Committee are contesting an October 31, 2025 judgment delivered by Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The respondents include INEC and several party members such as Austin Nwachukwu, Amah Abraham Nnanna, Turnah George, Samuel Anyanwu, Umar Damagum, Ali Odefa, and Emmanuel Ogidi.
Counsel to the appellants, Chief Chris Uche (SAN), argued that the trial court lacked jurisdiction to entertain the matter and urged the appellate court to overturn the decision. He also asked the court to dismiss preliminary objections raised against the appeal.
On the other hand, counsel to some of the respondents, Joseph Daudu (SAN), maintained that disputes concerning party leadership are internal matters and should not have been entertained by the Federal High Court. He asked the appellate court to uphold their objections and dismiss the appeal. Other respondents aligned with this position, describing the appeals as unmeritorious.
The appeals stem from three 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 proceeding with its planned convention until it complied with provisions of its constitution and the Electoral Act. The suit was initiated by three party officials who alleged breaches of electoral guidelines.
The judge held that INEC has the authority to ensure that political parties comply with statutory requirements in organising congresses and conventions. He barred the electoral body from recognising or publishing the outcome of any convention conducted in violation of the law.
He also ruled that the mandatory 21-day notice to INEC was not properly issued and that certain documents were invalid because they lacked the required signatures of both the national chairman and national secretary.
Justice Lifu, in a separate decision on November 11, 2025, similarly restrained the PDP from holding the convention and directed INEC not to supervise or acknowledge its outcome. The suit before him was filed by former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido, who claimed he was denied the opportunity to obtain nomination forms for the chairmanship contest.
The appeal relating to Justice Abdulmalik’s ruling was also argued before the panel, which subsequently reserved judgment on all matters.
The appellate court’s decision is expected to clarify the legal standing of the PDP convention and the leadership that emerged from it.
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