Appeal Court rules in favour of pro-Wike faction in PDP

The Court of Appeal in Abuja has delivered a significant blow to the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party by affirming a lower court decision that invalidated its recent national convention. In a unanimous ruling on Monday, a three member panel dismissed the party’s appeal, effectively barring the Independent National Electoral Commission from recognizing the officers elected during the Ibadan gathering.

Background of the Dispute

The legal battle stems from a convention held in November 2025 in Oyo State. Supported by Governors Seyi Makinde and Bala Mohammed, the event saw the election of a new National Working Committee headed by Kabiru Turaki. However, the process was immediately clouded by litigation from a rival faction loyal to Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory. Members of this faction, who had been suspended during the convention, successfully argued that the proceedings violated their democratic rights.

The Appellate Decision

The appellate court rejected all four grounds of the appeal filed by the PDP. The justices maintained that the Federal High Court acted within its jurisdiction when it first restrained the electoral body on October 31, 2025. Key highlights of the judgment include:

• Legal Standing: The court ruled that the plaintiffs possessed the necessary legal right to challenge the convention to protect their interests within the party.
• Fair Hearing: Claims that the party was denied a fair trial during the initial proceedings were dismissed as unfounded.
• Financial Penalties: Describing the appeal as frivolous, the court ordered the Turaki led faction to pay 2 million Naira in costs.

Implications for Party Leadership

This ruling reinforces earlier actions taken by the electoral commission. In December 2025, the commission formally refused to recognize the Turaki led team, citing the absence of a stay of execution on existing court orders. The Federal High Court had previously nullified the convention entirely and prohibited the newly elected officials from performing any official duties.

While the Turaki caucus maintains that its structure remains intact and there is no cause for alarm, the party has now directed its legal team to explore further options. This decision leaves the leadership of Nigeria’s primary opposition party in a state of legal uncertainty as the internal power struggle between the rival factions intensifies.