Supreme Court Halts Verdict on PDP Leadership Crisis After Turaki Faction Challenges Convention Nullification

The Supreme Court halts verdict on the PDP convention nullification appeal filed by the Turaki faction. Read the latest on the party's leadership battle.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 22, 2026, 7:52 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from The PUNCH

Legal Standoff Reaches the Apex Court

The prolonged battle for the soul of the Peoples Democratic Party reached a critical juncture on Wednesday as the Supreme Court reserved its judgment on the party’s leadership dispute. A five-member judicial panel, presided over by Justice Lawal Garba, announced that a final date for the verdict would be communicated to all involved parties. This follows the adoption of final written addresses by counsel representing the faction led by Kabiru Tanimu Turaki. The apex court’s eventual decision is expected to determine the definitive leadership structure of Nigeria's primary opposition party ahead of future electoral cycles.

Challenging the Ibadan Convention Nullification

The Turaki-led faction is specifically seeking to overturn a March 9 ruling by the Court of Appeal, which affirmed earlier decisions to invalidate the party’s national convention held in Ibadan on November 15 and 16, 2025. Counsel for the faction argued before the Supreme Court that the dispute should be classified strictly as an internal party affair, rendering it non-justiciable by the courts. They maintained that all necessary due process was observed during the organization of the exercise. However, this stance directly conflicts with the findings of the lower courts, which identified significant procedural breaches.

Judicial Restrictions on Party Governance

Previous rulings from the Federal High Court in Abuja have placed substantial constraints on the PDP’s administrative operations. Justice James Omotosho previously held that the party failed to conduct valid state congresses as mandated by its own constitution and the Electoral Act, effectively stripping the planned convention of its legal foundation. Furthermore, the court issued orders restraining the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognizing any outcome of the disputed gathering. These judicial interventions have also affected physical access to the party’s national secretariat, deepening the administrative paralysis.