The Supreme Court of Nigeria has set April 22 for the hearing of appeals arising from the leadership crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
The appeals were submitted by a group of the party led by former minister of special duties Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, disputing prior Court of Appeal decisions issued on March 9.
A five-member panel of the Supreme Court, led by Justice Mohammed Garba, set the date on Tuesday after allowing an appeal for an accelerated hearing.
The court further reduced the time limit for parties to file their papers, instructing respondents to react within five days and appellants to respond within two days.
The challenges originate from appellate court decisions that upheld earlier findings of the Federal High Court in Abuja, which barred the PDP from holding its planned national convention until it complied with statutory provisions such as the Electoral Act and party regulations.
The Federal High Court decisions, issued by Justices James Omotosho and Peter Lifu, came after suits filed by dissatisfied party members, including former Jigawa State governor Sule Lamido.
Several political stakeholders were present in court on Tuesday, including Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, Turaki, and other party figures.
Details later…
