The Supreme Court has ordered an accelerated hearing of an appeal challenging the nullification of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) national convention held in Ibadan, Oyo State, in November 2025.
A five-member panel led by Justice Mohammed Lawal granted the request for a speedy hearing in the appeal marked SC/CV/166/2026, filed by the factional leadership that emerged from the convention under Taminu Turaki.
The appellants—PDP, its National Working Committee (NWC), and National Executive Committee (NEC)—had urged the apex court to abridge time and depart from its standard rules to enable a swift resolution of the matter.
Arguing the motion, lead counsel Chris Uche (SAN) told the court that urgency was critical, citing the timetable released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which fixed April 23 for the commencement of candidate submissions by political parties.
He noted that the appellants backed their request with an affidavit of extreme urgency and a 23-paragraph supporting document.
Counsel to the opposing PDP faction aligned with FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, Emmanuel Ukala (SAN), did not oppose the application but sought 15 days to respond.
INEC and other respondents requested 10 days. In its ruling, the court granted the request for expedited hearing, directing all respondents to file their briefs within five days, while the appellants are to reply promptly upon service.
The court ordered that all processes be filed and exchanged by April 21 and fixed April 22 for hearing of the substantive appeal.
The dispute stems from an earlier ruling by the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal, which on March 9 upheld judgments invalidating the Ibadan convention.
The appellate panel, headed by Justice Mohammed Danjuma, ruled that the convention violated existing Federal High Court orders and lacked legal backing.
Delivering the lead judgment, Justice Uchechukwu Onyemenam held that the lower court properly assumed jurisdiction, as the case involved compliance with the Electoral Act, the 1999 Constitution (as amended), and PDP guidelines.
The court rejected claims that the matter was purely an internal party affair and found that statutory requirements were not met before the convention.
It also upheld the position that the PDP failed to conduct valid state congresses in 14 states, thereby undermining the legitimacy of delegates who participated in the convention.
The Federal High Court, in its earlier judgment delivered by Justice James Omotosho, had barred the party from proceeding with the convention, citing procedural breaches, including improper notification to INEC and failure to comply with statutory guidelines.
The court further restrained INEC from recognizing the outcome of the convention until due process is followed.
The suit was initiated by aggrieved party members, including Austin Nwachukwu, Amah Abraham Nnanna, and Turnah Alabh George, who are aligned with the Wike faction.
Despite the court rulings, the crisis within the PDP has deepened, with rival factions holding parallel conventions and laying claim to the party’s leadership structure.
The Supreme Court’s decision to fast-track the appeal is expected to play a decisive role in determining the legitimacy of the party’s leadership ahead of upcoming electoral activities.
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