iDeemlawfulThe National Working Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party led by Tanimu Turaki has filed an appeal against the Federal High Court judgment that nullified the party’s November 2025 national convention and recognised a caretaker committee supported by Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike.
Speaking to journalists on Friday, Turaki maintained that the court ruling had not shaken the party’s legal standing, stressing that the PDP remained intact while awaiting decisions from the appellate courts.
Earlier on Friday, the Federal High Court in Ibadan invalidated the PDP National Convention held in Ibadan, Oyo State, on November 15, 2025.
The court also restrained Turaki and others from continuing to present themselves as national officers of the party.
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Justice Uche Agomoh further ruled that the caretaker committee led by Mohammed Abdulrahman and Samuel Anyanwu remains the only recognised National Working Committee of the PDP until a valid convention is conducted.
PDP governors had endorsed the Ibadan convention, during which Turaki and other NWC members were elected for a four-year term.
However, Wike, alongside Abdulrahman and Anyanwu, maintained that they were still acting national chairman and national secretary, respectively.
Despite the governors overseeing what they described as a smooth transition from former PDP National Chairman, Umar Damagum, to Turaki before Damagum’s tenure expired on December 9, the Wike-aligned faction went ahead on December 8 to set up a 13-member caretaker committee, appointing Abdulrahman, Anyanwu and others with a 60-day mandate.
This development led both the governors’ faction and the Wike-backed group to seek recognition from the Independent National Electoral Commission, which has so far declined to recognise either side.
Consequently, multiple lawsuits were filed to settle the leadership tussle ahead of the 2027 general election.
Reacting to the judgment, Turaki described it as an academic exercise and urged the Court of Appeal to consolidate all pending PDP-related cases to issue a single binding decision.
He disclosed that the NWC had already filed a Notice of Appeal and a Motion for Stay of Execution, insisting the matter would be pursued to its lawful conclusion.
Turaki explained that the suit was initially filed to compel INEC, through an order of mandamus, to recognise the Ibadan Convention and allow official communication between the party and the electoral body.
Turaki said, “More importantly, the judgment is in material conflict with subsisting orders and previous judgments of courts of coordinate jurisdiction.
“Consequently, we have filed a Notice of Appeal as well as a Motion for Stay of Execution of the judgement, and we are determined to pursue this matter diligently and to its logical conclusion in accordance with the law.
“For the avoidance of doubt, this judgment is only one among several decisions of the Federal High Court on this subject matter, and the core issues arising therefrom are already before the Court of Appeal. In that sense, this particular judgment is, technically speaking, academic, pending the authoritative pronouncement of the appellate courts.
“Let me assure all members of our great party that, notwithstanding this judgment, 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.”
Turaki urged PDP members nationwide to remain calm and resolute, assuring them that the party’s Rebirth movement was progressing steadily.
Responding to questions about concerns over pending appeals, Turaki said he was not worried, noting that lawyers on both sides had filed their briefs within the required timelines.
He stated, “There are more than two matters pending before the Court of Appeal. First, there is the judgment of Justice Lifu. There is also the judgment of Justice Omotosho, and another judgment given by Justice Abdulmalik. In all these three matters, we were sued and defended those cases. We have appealed against the orders made against the party in those cases.
“On whether there is concern that the appeals have not yet been heard, there is no concern. There are processes required before an appeal is ready for hearing. Each party must be given fair hearing and must file briefs within the time stipulated by law. Counsel on both sides have commendably compressed the time for filing briefs and complied promptly. All briefs are now in the court files. Sometimes replies are also required, and those will be filed as needed.
“There are many appeals ready for hearing in the Abuja Division. The court previously implemented a special plan in the Lagos Division, where multiple panels were set up and over 500 appeals were disposed of. There are also over 400 appeals ready in Abuja, and it is hoped that similar special panels will be created there. If that happens, this political case should receive priority.
“It is also desirable that the appeals be consolidated so that one binding judgment will apply to all parties. Many of the PDP cases are interconnected, and determination of the key issues in one will likely resolve the others and bring closure to related matters pending in various courts across Nigeria.
“We are hopeful that the Court of Appeal will soon constitute a panel to hear and determine all these appeals.”
Meanwhile, the Wike-aligned faction welcomed the judgment, calling on party members to embrace unity, reconciliation and strict adherence to due process.
The Mohammed-led PDP Caretaker Committee, in a statement issued on Friday by its National Publicity Secretary, Jungude Mohammed, said the party’s legitimacy rests solely on compliance with its Constitution, existing laws and valid court orders, not unlawful claims or impersonation.
The statement read in part, “The landmark judgment, which further nullified the conduct, outcome, and entire proceedings of the purported convention held in Ibadan on the 15th and 16th of November 2025, represents a decisive victory for the rule of law, constitutionalism, and internal party democracy.
“It reaffirms the long-standing position of the PDP that legitimacy can only be derived from strict compliance with the Constitution of the Party, extant laws, and valid court orders, as opposed to seeking self-help through impersonation or unlawful assertions of authority.
“The National Caretaker Working Committee therefore congratulates all its members and supporters for their patience, resilience, and unwavering faith in due process throughout this period, and further calls on all members to remain calm, law-abiding, and united as we move forward in the spirit of reconciliation, progress, and renewed commitment to the ideals of our great Party.
“We appeal to all aggrieved members to sheath their swords, as this victory belongs to the entire PDP family. Our doors remain open for genuine reconciliation and integration. This will strengthen unity, deepen internal cohesion, and refocus collective efforts toward building a stronger and more formidable PDP.”