The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Tanimu Turaki (SAN), has described the recent Federal High Court judgment in Ibadan as “an academic exercise” and urged the Court of Appeal to consolidate all pending party-related cases to produce a single, binding decision.
At a press briefing in Abuja on Friday, Turaki confirmed that the PDP National Working Committee (NWC) had filed a Notice of Appeal and a Motion for Stay of Execution, vowing to pursue the matter through all available legal channels.
The Ibadan Federal High Court had earlier nullified the PDP National Convention held in the city on November 15, 2025, directing Turaki and others to cease presenting themselves as the party’s national officers. Prior to the ruling, PDP governors had endorsed the convention, which elected Turaki and the NWC for a four-year tenure.
However, the FCT Minister and his allies, including Abdulrahman and Anyanwu, maintained that they were still acting as Chairman and National Secretary.
Despite a supervised transition from former Chairman Umar Damagum to Turaki before Damagum’s tenure expired on December 9, the Wike-aligned faction had established a 13-member caretaker committee on December 8, naming Mohammed, Anyanwu, and others with a 60-day mandate.
Both factions subsequently sought recognition from INEC, which declined to recognize either, resulting in multiple court cases ahead of the 2027 elections.
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Reacting to the Ibadan judgment, Turaki stated, “We went to court to obtain an order directing INEC to recognize the Ibadan Convention and enable official party communications. During the proceedings, the Mohammed and Anyanwu Caretaker Committee applied to be joined in the case, and the court admitted them. They requested that the orders we sought should not be granted. However, the court proceeded suo motu to grant reliefs neither prayed for nor canvassed by any party. The judgment also conflicts with existing orders and prior decisions of courts of coordinate jurisdiction.”
He added, “Consequently, we have filed a Notice of Appeal and a Motion for Stay of Execution of the judgment. We are determined to pursue this matter diligently to its lawful conclusion.”
Turaki further described the ruling as one of several pending Federal High Court decisions on the matter, noting that the core issues are already before the Court of Appeal. “In that sense, this judgment is, technically speaking, academic, pending authoritative pronouncement from the appellate courts,” he said.
Reassuring party members, Turaki said, “The National Working Committee produced by the Ibadan Convention remains legally intact, firmly in place, and fully committed to the ongoing rebirth of the Peoples Democratic Party.” He called on PDP supporters nationwide to remain calm and steadfast, emphasizing that the Rebirth movement continues to progress.
On concerns over multiple PDP cases before the Court of Appeal, Turaki clarified that there was no cause for alarm. “There are more than two matters pending, first, the judgment of Justice Lifu, then Justice Omotosho, and another by Justice Abdulmalik. In all, we have filed appeals and complied with all procedural requirements. All briefs are now in the court files, and replies will be filed as needed.”
He also called for consolidation of appeals, noting that many PDP cases are interconnected. “Determination of the key issues in one will likely resolve the others and bring closure to related matters across Nigeria. We are hopeful the Court of Appeal will soon constitute a panel to hear and determine all these appeals,” Turaki added.
