The Court of Appeal in Ibadan has waded into the protracted leadership crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), urging the warring factions to sheathe their swords and resolve their disputes as a “family affair gone sour.”
The appellate court’s intervention on Friday comes on the heels of contradictory judgments from lower courts that have left the party’s national leadership in a state of legal limbo.
The Legal Deadlock: Conflicting Judgments
The crisis stems from two diametrically opposed court rulings regarding the party’s national convention held in Ibadan on November 15 and 16, 2025:
The Federal High Court Ruling: On November 25, 2025, a Federal High Court in Ibadan, ruled in favour of the Abdulrahman Mohammed-led faction and invalidated the convention’s outcome.
The State High Court Ruling: Conversely, on February 25, 2026, Justice Ladiran Akintola of the Oyo State High Court ruled in favour of the Tanimu Turaki faction. The court held that the convention was valid under both the PDP Constitution and the Electoral Act, affirming Tanimu Turaki (SAN) as the lawfully elected National Chairman.
Appellate Court Intervention
At the resumed hearing in Ibadan, a three-member panel led by Justice Biobele Georgewill addressed the multiple appeals filed in both Abuja and Ibadan aimed at setting aside these conflicting decisions.
During the proceedings, the counsel to the appellant, Mr Fredrick Ladapo, informed the court of a Notice of Withdrawal of Appeal filed on March 4. Seizing on this development, Justice Georgewill suggested that the withdrawal signalled an opening for peace.
“This is a family affair gone sour,” Justice Georgewill remarked, noting that the dispute could be resolved through mediation rather than protracted litigation.
The Road to Settlement
In a move to forestall further judicial chaos, the Court of Appeal issued the following directives:
Mandatory Consultation: Both factions are ordered to meet with their respective legal teams to draft “Terms of Settlement.”
Consent Judgment: The court stated that if the parties reach an agreement, those terms will be adopted as the official judgment of the Court of Appeal.
Alternative Action: Should the parties fail to reach an amicable resolution, the court warned it would either proceed with the hearing of the appeals or transfer the cases to Abuja for consolidation with other pending matters.
What Happens Next?
The court has adjourned the matter until March 11, 2026. On this date, counsel for both factions must return to the appellate court to report whether their clients are amenable to the settlement terms or if the legal battle will continue in the courtroom.
