The Court of Appeal in Abuja has fixed February 12, 2026, to hear multiple suits challenging the legality of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) national convention held on November 15 and 16, 2025, in Ibadan, Oyo State.
A three-member panel of the court, led by Justice Mohammed Danjuma, will hear eight separate appeals questioning the validity of the convention that produced the Tanimu Turaki–led National Working Committee (NWC).
The appeals stem from conflicting judgments delivered by three judges of the Federal High Court and one judge of a State High Court.
In November 2025, a faction of the PDP held a national convention in Ibadan where 20 members of the NWC were elected. Key officers elected include:
- Tanimu Turaki – National Chairman
- Hamza Akuyan Koshe – Deputy National Chairman (North)
- Daniel Ambrose Woye – Deputy National Chairman (South)
- Arapaja Taofeek Gbola-Oladejo – National Secretary
The convention took place amid conflicting court orders on whether it should proceed.
On October 31, 2025, Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja restrained the PDP from holding the convention, ruling that the party failed to conduct valid state congresses as required by the 1999 Constitution, INEC guidelines, and the PDP constitution.
However, on November 4, 2025, Justice A.L. Akintola of the Oyo State High Court ordered the PDP and its then chairman, Umar Damagum, to proceed with the convention.
The legal dispute intensified on November 11, 2025, when Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja again barred the PDP from holding the convention, citing alleged failure to properly publish the convention timetable in line with legal requirements.
Justice Lifu ruled in favour of Sule Lamido, former Jigawa State governor, who argued that he intended to contest for national chairman and would suffer irreparable harm if the convention proceeded.
Notably, the PDP faction loyal to Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), boycotted the Ibadan convention.
