From Victor Osula, Abuja
In a move that heightens the stakes in the leadership and legitimacy crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the Supreme Court of Nigeria on Tuesday fixed April 22 for accelerated hearing of an appeal challenging the nullification of the party’s disputed November 2025 national convention, amid looming electoral deadlines set by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The apex court, in a ruling delivered by a five-member panel led by Justice Mohammed Lawal, granted an application for abridgement of time in appeal SC/CV/166/2026, filed by the Taminu Turaki-led leadership that emerged from the Ibadan convention held on November 15 and 16, 2025.
The court’s decision followed arguments that the dispute required urgent resolution to prevent disruption of the PDP’s participation in forthcoming electoral processes, particularly in view of INEC’s timetable for political party activities.
Counsel to the appellants, Chris Uche, SAN, told the court that the urgency of the matter was underscored by INEC’s schedule, which fixes April 23 for the commencement of candidate submissions by political parties.
He urged the court to depart from its normal procedural timelines, arguing that the “interest of justice” demanded accelerated hearing.
Uche further informed the court that the appellants supported their motion with a 23-paragraph affidavit of extreme urgency, stressing the potential consequences of delay on the party’s electoral preparedness.
The application was not opposed by the faction aligned with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
However, their counsel, Emmanuel Ukala, SAN, requested 15 days within which to respond to the appeal, while INEC and other respondents sought 10 days to file their briefs.
In its ruling, the Supreme Court held that the circumstances justified expedited consideration of the matter. It ordered all respondents to file their processes within five days and directed that all filings be completed and exchanged on or before April 21.
The court subsequently fixed April 22 for the hearing of the substantive appeal.
The dispute arises from the PDP national convention held in Ibadan, which produced a leadership led by Taminu Turaki, SAN, and has since remained the subject of competing court rulings.
The Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal, had on March 9 upheld earlier decisions nullifying the convention, ruling that it was conducted in breach of subsisting court orders and statutory requirements.
The appellate court affirmed the Federal High Court judgment delivered by Justice James Omotosho, which restrained INEC from recognising the outcome of the convention and found that the PDP failed to meet mandatory preconditions, including valid state congresses in several states.
It also held that the convention notice was defective, having been signed only by the National Chairman without the National Secretary, in violation of party guidelines.
Justice Uchechukwu Onyemenam, delivering the lead judgment, ruled that the matter was justiciable, rejecting arguments that it amounted to an internal party affair, and affirming that compliance with the Electoral Act and INEC regulations was mandatory.
Despite the appellate court ruling, the PDP remains divided into rival factions, each laying claim to legitimacy and control of the party’s national structure.
The Wike-aligned faction has also conducted a separate national convention in Abuja and secured judicial backing granting it access to the party’s national secretariat.
The Supreme Court’s accelerated hearing is expected to determine the validity of the disputed convention and clarify the authentic leadership of the PDP ahead of critical electoral deadlines.
