Fresh concerns have emerged over the fate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ahead of the 2027 general elections following a new judgment by the Court of Appeal, which has further complicated the party’s lingering leadership crisis.
If the internal dispute remains unresolved and the legal implications of the judgment persist, the one-time ruling party may face procedural challenges that could ultimately threaten its ability to participate in the next general elections.
It was reported that the fresh development comes as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has already slated party primaries and the resolution of disputes for between April 23 and May 30, 2026.
The timeline effectively gives political parties, including the PDP, less than three months to conclude all processes leading to the emergence of candidates either through direct primaries or consensus arrangements.
However, the current leadership tussle within the PDP has raised fears that the party may struggle to meet these deadlines if the crisis persists.
The Court of Appeal on Monday delivered judgement on appeals arising from earlier decisions by Justices James Omotosho and Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court, as well as a ruling by Justice Joyce Abdulmalik.
In separate decisions, the appellate court upheld the judgment of the lower court, which declared null and void the national convention of the party that produced a factional National Working Committee led by Tanimu Kabiru Turaki as national chairman.
At the same time, the court affirmed that the suspension of the party’s National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, was valid.
Anyanwu had been suspended alongside the party’s National Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade; Deputy Legal Adviser, Okechukwu Osuoha; and National Organising Secretary, Umaru Bature.
The suspension of the officials was announced on November 1, 2025, over allegations of anti-party activities and conduct deemed inconsistent with the provisions of the PDP constitution.
The appellate court upheld the action taken by the party’s National Working Committee, dismissing the legal challenges filed by the affected officers.
In its ruling, the court emphasised the supremacy of the party’s constitution in regulating internal affairs and disciplinary procedures.
“All appeals seeking to nullify the suspensions and reinstate the officers were dismissed for lacking merit,” the court held.
Disagreements Over Next Line Of Action
Despite the court’s pronouncements, the crisis within the PDP appears far from over as the rival factions within the party have adopted different strategies in response to the judgment.
While the faction led by Tanimu Turaki has resolved to challenge the ruling at the Supreme Court, the rival faction linked to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has insisted it will proceed with its planned national convention.
Analysts say the conflicting approaches could further deepen the crisis and complicate efforts to stabilise the party ahead of the 2027 elections.
The uncertainty has also raised fears among party faithful that the PDP may be unable to recover in time to present candidates for the next general elections.
Turaki-led NWC Heads To Supreme Court
Following the Court of Appeal judgment, the National Working Committee under the leadership of Tanimu Turaki (SAN) vowed to challenge the decision at the Supreme Court.
Reacting to the verdict, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Ini Ememobong, accused the faction loyal to the FCT minister of acting as agents of the government within the party.
He said the leadership of the party remained determined to reclaim control of the organisation.
According to Ememobong, the appellate court panel presided over by Justice Mohammed Ambi-Usi Danjuma upheld the earlier decisions of the Federal High Court.
He said, “The panel of the court, presided over by Justice Mohammed Ambi-Usi Danjuma upheld the suspension of the National Legal Adviser (and by extension other officers like the National Secretary and National Organising Secretary).
“The court also upheld the judgments of Justices Omotosho and Lifu of the Federal High Court, Abuja. The appeal against the interlocutory orders of Justice Abdulmalik was dismissed.”
Ememobong warned that the implementation of the judgment could create significant challenges for party members.
“The operationalisation of this judgement will, without fail, work untold hardship on our members,” he said.
He added that the party had already directed its lawyers to begin the process of appealing the decision.
“We have also instructed our lawyers to immediately take legal steps to appeal the same to the Supreme Court, being the apex court in the land, to conclusively adjudicate on this matter.
“We are hopeful that the apex court will expeditiously settle this matter in the interest of democracy,” Ememobong said.
Calling on party members to remain steadfast, he added, “We urge our members to stand firm, trusting that soon this battle will be over and we shall be more than conquerors.
“The battle to rescue our party from the hands of government agents masquerading as opposition leaders must be fought, and we are determined to do so and win.”
Wike-backed Faction Insists On Convention
However, the faction linked to the FCT minister has insisted it will proceed with its planned national convention despite the court ruling.
Spokesman of the group, Haruna Mohammed, said the convention scheduled for March 28 would go ahead as planned.
In a recent interview, Mohammed maintained that the faction would not suspend its preparations for the convention.
Analysts say such parallel actions could worsen the leadership crisis and create further legal complications for the party.
Stakeholders consider BoT intervention
Meanwhile, party stakeholders have reportedly been holding a series of meetings aimed at determining the next steps for the PDP.
However, deliberations were still ongoing at the time of filing this report.
Sources within the party disclosed that there were suggestions that the Board of Trustees might temporarily take over the administration of the party pending the resolution of the crisis.
“The BoT under Adolphus Wabara might move to take over the party, and they have slated a meeting for 3 pm tomorrow (today),” a source familiar with the discussions disclosed.
Court Explains Reasons For Decisions
The Court of Appeal also dismissed an appeal filed by the PDP against the October 31 judgment of Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Justice Omotosho had earlier restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission from recognising the outcome of the national convention planned for Ibadan, Oyo State on November 15 and 16, 2025.
Delivering the judgment at the Appeal Court Complex in Abuja, Justice Uchechukwu Onyemenam, who read the unanimous decision of the three-member panel, held that the appeal lacked merit.
The appellate court ruled that the Federal High Court was right to grant all the reliefs sought by the plaintiffs.
Justice Onyemenam said the PDP violated constitutional provisions required for the conduct of a valid national convention.
Among the issues identified by the court was the failure of the party to serve valid notice of the convention on the Independent National Electoral Commission as required by law.
The court also found that valid congresses were not conducted in more than 14 states as required before the convention could take place.
Justice Onyemenam further clarified that the suit was not merely about the internal affairs of the party, but about compelling INEC to comply with its statutory responsibilities in relation to party conventions.
The original suit had been filed by three aggrieved members of the PDP, Austin Nwachukwu, the party’s chairman in Imo State; Amah Abraham Nnanna, the PDP chairman in Abia State; and Turnah Alabh George, the PDP Secretary in the South-South zone.
The case, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2120/2025, was instituted on their behalf by Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Joseph Daudu.
In a related ruling, Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja had on November 14, 2025 ordered the PDP not to proceed with its planned convention.
The judge directed that the party should not conduct the convention until a chairmanship nomination form was sold to an aspirant and former governor of Jigawa State, Sule Lamido.
The Federal High Court also barred INEC from supervising, monitoring or recognising the outcome of the convention where national officers were expected to be elected.
Despite the subsisting order, the court noted that the party proceeded with the convention, a development the appellate court described as improper.
Reactions Trail Court Judgment
Reacting to the judgment, the Edo State chapter of the PDP expressed satisfaction with the decision of the Court of Appeal, which affirmed the suspension of Anyanwu and other officials.
The party’s spokesperson in the state, Dan Osa-Ogbegie, described the ruling as a vindication of party supremacy, institutional discipline and adherence to the rule of law within the PDP.
According to him, the judgment strengthens the party at a critical moment in Nigeria’s political history.
He said the decision came at a time when the country desperately needed a strong opposition to address governance challenges.
The spokesperson said the ruling came at a moment when “Nigeria desperately needs a strong, organised and principled opposition to rescue our democracy from the incompetence, economic hardship and governance failures of the APC-led administration.”
‘Dispute Is A Family Quarrel’ – Hashim
A chieftain of the party and presidential hopeful on the PDP platform, Gbenga Hashim, described the ongoing crisis as a “family quarrel” that should be resolved through dialogue and reconciliation.
Hashim revealed that leaders from the contending factions had already agreed in principle to harmonise their positions through ongoing discussions and negotiations.
According to him, the immediate priority for all stakeholders should be to preserve the unity and stability of the party.
He expressed optimism that the reconciliation efforts would succeed.
“We trust that this unity would be achieved by the grace of God. Nigerians earnestly expect this and posterity demands it,” he added.
A Lagos-based legal analyst, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa (SAN), has also called for internal resolution of the PDP crisis rather than prolonged litigation.
He criticised political parties for failing to properly manage their internal affairs and for disregarding their own constitutions and bylaws.
“I think the judiciary should do less intervention in the resolution of internal affairs of political parties. But in this case, because disputes have prevailed for so long, instead of resorting to lawlessness, it would be good for there to be a resolution one way or the other,” he said.
Adegboruwa advised the party’s Board of Trustees to dissolve existing structures and rebuild the party from scratch.
“My advice is to call on the board of trustees of the political party to go back to the drawing board and dissolve all existing structures and really start the business of opposition,” he said.
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