Court of Appeal reserves judgment in PDP convention court appeal challenging Federal High Court orders halting the party’s November 2025 national convention

The Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, on Thursday reserved judgment in nine appeals filed by rival factions of the Peoples Democratic Party challenging Federal High Court rulings that stopped the party’s November 15 and 16, 2025 national convention in Ibadan, Oyo State.

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The convention produced Tanimu Turaki, SAN, as National Chairman alongside other party officers. A three-member panel of the appellate court fixed judgment for a later date to be communicated to the parties, following adoption of all written processes.

One of the appeals, marked CA/ABJ/CV/1613/2025, lists the PDP, its National Working Committee and National Executive Committee as appellants, with INEC, Austin Nwachukwu, Amah Abraham Nnanna, Turnah George, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, Umar Damagun, Ali Odefa, and Emmanuel Ogidi as respondents.

Chief Chris Uche, SAN, representing the appellants, argued that the October 31, 2025 judgment delivered by Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court lacked jurisdiction.

He urged the appellate court to dismiss what he described as “misconceived preliminary objections” and set aside the trial court’s orders.

Counsel for the first to third respondents, Joseph Daudu, SAN, adopted his clients’ briefs, urging the court to uphold the objections and dismiss the appeal.

He argued that the chairmanship of a political party is an internal matter beyond the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court. Other respondents echoed the call to dismiss the appeals as lacking merit.

The nine appeals stem from three separate Federal High Court judgments delivered by Justices James Omotosho, Peter Lifu, and Joyce Abdulmalik.

Justice Omotosho’s October 30, 2025 ruling restrained the PDP from holding its convention until compliance with statutory requirements under the party’s constitution and the Electoral Act.

He ruled that INEC could not accept or recognise any convention outcome not conducted in accordance with the law.

Similarly, Justice Lifu on November 11, 2025, barred the PDP from proceeding with its convention in a suit filed by a former Jigawa State governor who alleged he was denied the opportunity to purchase a nomination form.

The judge cited the party’s failure to comply with legal requirements, including publication of a timetable.

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Processes in the appeal against Justice Abdulmalik’s ruling were also adopted before the appellate court reserved judgment for a date yet to be communicated.