Legal fireworks are set to unfold at the Court of Appeal in Abuja on February 12, 2026, as judges prepare to determine the legality of the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) national convention held in Ibadan, Oyo State.
On Tuesday, a three-member panel of the appellate court, led by Justice Mohammed Danjuma, fixed the date for hearing eight appeals filed against the November 15–16, 2025 convention that produced the Tanimu Turaki-led national executive.
The appeals stem from three separate judgments issued last year, reflecting a deep division within the party. They were filed by the pro-Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde group, seeking to challenge the convention’s outcome and “rescue” the party from the influence of loyalists aligned with FCT Minister Nyesom Wike.
The legal tussle follows conflicting rulings from multiple courts. Justice Olaniran Akintola of the Oyo State High Court, in an ex-parte application, had ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to monitor the convention and recognize its outcome. This came barely 72 hours after Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja restrained INEC from recognizing the convention, citing breaches of the party’s own rules and relevant electoral laws.
Justice Omotosho emphasized that INEC’s statutory duty to ensure political parties comply with the law goes beyond internal party affairs. “A suit challenging the executive decision of INEC is not an internal affair of a political party,” he held, asserting that the Electoral Act empowers INEC to invalidate deficient conventions as a check against abuses.
Meanwhile, Justice Peter Lifu, in a separate ruling, restrained the PDP from proceeding with the convention on grounds that former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido was excluded from contesting the national chairmanship position.
The Court of Appeal will examine the merit of all claims and counterclaims, with a view to resolving the disputes and giving legal clarity to the party’s leadership. The outcome of the February 12 hearing is expected to determine the fate of the Turaki-led national executive and may have major implications for PDP’s internal cohesion ahead of future elections.