Breaking:-Court-of-Appeal-Dismisses-Turaki-Led-Faction’s-Appeal,-Upholds-Order-Stopping-PDP-Convention
Breaking: Court of Appeal Dismisses Turaki-Led Faction’s Appeal, Upholds Order Stopping PDP Convention
ABUJA — The Court of Appeal in Abuja has delivered a decisive ruling in the protracted leadership crisis of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), upholding an earlier Federal High Court decision that halted the party’s National Convention.
In a judgment delivered on Monday, March 9, 2026, the appellate court dismissed the appeal filed by the faction led by Tanimu Turaki (SAN). The court held that the appeal lacked merit and affirmed the lower court's jurisdiction to restrain the party from proceeding with the convention under the contested circumstances.
Key Highlights of the Ruling
The legal battle centered on the legitimacy of the November 2025 National Convention held in Ibadan. Key outcomes of today’s proceedings include:
- Upholding the Status Quo: The court affirmed the judgment of the Federal High Court, which had originally stopped the convention from taking place, citing procedural irregularities and a failure to comply with party guidelines.
- Dismissal of the Turaki Appeal: The appeal brought by Tanimu Turaki and his factional National Working Committee (NWC) was dismissed in its entirety.
- Financial Penalties: In a stern move, the court awarded a Cost of N2 million against the appellants (Turaki and others) to be paid to the respondents.
Implications for the PDP
This ruling marks a significant setback for the Turaki-led group, which had sought judicial validation for the leadership that emerged from the Ibadan convention. By upholding the order that stopped the convention, the Court of Appeal has effectively cast further legal doubt on the standing of the officers elected during that exercise.
The PDP has been embroiled in a bitter internal struggle between factions loyal to various party stakeholders, with multiple conflicting court orders emanating from different jurisdictions over the past few months. Today’s appellate decision is expected to streamline the legal landscape, though observers suggest the matter may yet proceed to the Supreme Court.
Reaction and Next Steps
Legal counsel for the respondents hailed the judgment as a "victory for the rule of law and party constitutionality," while the Turaki-led faction has yet to issue a formal statement on whether they will seek a final redress at the apex court.
As it stands, the party remains under the shadow of leadership uncertainty just weeks before the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) deadline for the conduct of party primaries.
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