PDP CRISIS: MAKINDE, WIKE CAMPS CONFIDENT AS APPEAL COURT RULES TODAY

Ahead of today’s Appeal Court ruling on the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party, factions aligned with the party’s governors and those loyal to Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, have expressed confidence that the judgment would favour them, insisting that legal precedents and statutory provisions support their positions.

The National Publicity Secretary of the National Working Committee, led by Tanimu Turaki (SAN) and backed by Governors Seyi Makinde of Oyo State and Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, Ini Ememobong, confirmed that the Court of Appeal scheduled the consolidated cases involving the PDP for judgment on Monday.

Similarly, the National Publicity Secretary of the caretaker committee led by Mohammed Abdulrahman (Acting National Chairman) and Samuel Anyanwu (Acting National Secretary) and backed by Wike, Jungudo Mohammed, confirmed that the leadership dispute within the PDP had been scheduled for judgment at the Court of Appeal in Abuja.

Both factions, in separate interviews with our correspondent, expressed confidence that the judgment would be in their favour.

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Governors of the PDP had earlier endorsed the Ibadan convention, which produced Turaki and other members of the NWC on November 15 for a four-year tenure.

The governors also supervised the transition of leadership from former acting chairman, Umar Damagum, to Turaki before Damagum’s tenure expired on December 9.

Meanwhile, a faction loyal to the FCT Minister constituted a 13-member caretaker committee on December 8, appointing Abdulrahman as acting national chairman and Anyanwu as acting national secretary, among others, with a 60-day mandate.

Efforts by both the Wike-aligned group and the governors’ camp to convene meetings at the PDP National Secretariat, Wadata Plaza, on November 18, 2025, turned chaotic, leading to disorder and physical altercations.

Following the incident, the Nigeria Police Force sealed the secretariat, which has since remained closed.

Both factions subsequently sought recognition from the Independent National Electoral Commission, but the commission refused to acknowledge either group, resulting in prolonged legal battles.

One of the consolidated suits before the Appeal Court is suit FHC/ABJ/CS/2120/2025, which produced a ruling that halted the party’s convention until it fully complies with provisions of its constitution, the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and the Electoral Act (Nigeria).

The case was instituted by three aggrieved members of the Peoples Democratic Party: Austin Nwachukwu (PDP Chairman, Imo State), Amah Abraham Nnanna (PDP Chairman, Abia State), and Turnah Alabh George (PDP Secretary, South-South).

Another significant suit was filed by former Governor Sule Lamido (Adamawa). In that matter, Justice Peter Lifu issued an order restraining INEC from supervising, monitoring, or recognising any PDP convention that excluded the plaintiff as a contestant.

Three other cases, including one originating from the Oyo State High Court, are also challenging the legality of the party’s November 15–16 convention.

Another suit concerns the closure of the PDP National Secretariat at Wadata Plaza, listed as FHC/ABJ/CS/2520/2025, which was filed against the Nigeria Police Force.

On February 12, the Court of Appeal of Nigeria heard all the consolidated cases relating to the PDP leadership dispute and last week informed the parties that judgment would be delivered today, Monday.

The outcome of the cases currently before the Court of Appeal is pivotal and will determine the leadership of the party.

On their expectations regarding today’s judgment at the Court of Appeal, the Wike-aligned faction stated that precedents set by the Supreme Court of Nigeria support their position, expressing confidence that victory is assured.

The faction’s National Publicity Secretary, Mohammed, stated, “Yes, we are very optimistic in the sense that the provisions of the law, and the precedents already established by the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal, give us strong confidence that the judgment will be in our favour.

“You cannot violate the Electoral Act, the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and the constitution of the party in conducting a convention.

“Not only were these violated, but there was also disobedience to existing court judgments. You cannot do that and expect it