Appeal Court reserves judgment in nine appeals over conflicting orders on PDP’s Ibadan convention
The Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, has reserved judgment in nine appeals arising from conflicting Federal High Court decisions that halted the Peoples Democratic Party’s national convention held in Ibadan, Oyo State, on November 15 and 16, 2025.
The convention produced Tanimu Turaki (SAN) as National Chairman alongside other national officers. A three-member panel fixed a date for judgment after all written processes were adopted.
One of the appeals, marked CA/ABJ/CV/1613/2025, was filed by the PDP, its National Working Committee, and National Executive Committee against INEC and respondents including Austin Nwachukwu, Amah Abraham Nnanna, Turnah George, Samuel Anyanwu, Umar Damagum, Ali Odefa, and Emmanuel Ogidi.
Appellants’ counsel, Chief Chris Uche (SAN), challenged the October 31, 2025 judgment of Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, arguing it was delivered without jurisdiction.
He urged the court to dismiss what he termed misconceived preliminary objections, allow the appeal, and set aside the trial court’s orders.
Counsel for the first to third respondents, Joseph Daudu (SAN), urged the court to uphold preliminary objections and dismiss the appeal, arguing that political party chairmanship issues are internal matters beyond the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court. Other respondents also described the appeal as lacking merit and an academic exercise.
The nine appeals stem from three separate judgments by Justices James Omotosho, Peter Lifu, and Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court, Abuja.
In his October 30, 2025 judgment, Justice Omotosho stopped the PDP from holding its convention until statutory requirements under the party’s constitution and the Electoral Act were met.
The suit was filed by three party members—Austin Nwachukwu, Amah Abraham Nnanna, and Turnah Alabh George—who alleged electoral law violations.
Omotosho held that INEC is responsible for ensuring compliance with the Constitution and Electoral Act in the conduct of party meetings, congresses, and conventions. He restrained INEC from accepting or recognising any convention outcome not conducted in line with due process and ordered that a valid convention notice be signed by both the national chairman and national secretary.
He found that congresses were not held in some states, that notices signed solely by the national chairman without the national secretary were null, and that the PDP failed to issue the mandatory 21-day notice to INEC.
Omotosho ruled that noncompliance with INEC rules was not an internal party matter, adding that subsidiary legislation issued by INEC has the force of law and confers jurisdiction on the court.
On November 11, 2025, Justice Peter Lifu also restrained the PDP from proceeding with the convention and barred INEC from supervising or recognising its outcome.
The order followed a suit by former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido, who alleged he was denied the opportunity to purchase a nomination form for the national chairmanship position. Lifu held that the PDP failed to publish a timetable or comply with legal requirements.
Processes in the appeal against Justice Joyce Abdulmalik’s ruling were also adopted. The appellate court has reserved judgment in all nine appeals to a date to be communicated to parties.
About The Author
