The Supreme Court of Nigeria has ordered an accelerated hearing of an appeal challenging the nullification of the People’s 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 a faction of the party led by Taminu Turaki, SAN.
The appellants, PDP, its National Working Committee (NWC), and National Executive Committee (NEC), had urged the court to abridge time for the filing of briefs, citing urgency “in the interest of justice.”
Counsel to the appellants, Chief Chris Uche, SAN, told the court that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), a respondent in the matter, had fixed April 23 as the deadline for political parties to begin submission of candidates, making a swift determination necessary.
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Although lawyers representing other parties, including the faction aligned with FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, did not oppose the application, they requested time to respond. The court subsequently directed all respondents to file their briefs within five days, while the appellants were ordered to reply upon service.
The apex court ruled that all filings must be completed by April 21 and fixed April 22 for the hearing of the substantive appeal.
The legal battle stems from earlier rulings that invalidated the Ibadan convention, which produced the Turaki-led factional leadership of the PDP.
The Court of Appeal of Nigeria had, on March 9, upheld a Federal High Court judgment barring the party from proceeding with the convention, citing non-compliance with statutory requirements and prior court orders.
The appellate court ruled that the PDP failed to conduct valid state congresses in several states and did not properly notify INEC as required by law, rendering the convention invalid.
It also rejected arguments that the matter was purely an internal party affair, holding that compliance with the Electoral Act, the 1999 Constitution, and party guidelines made the dispute justiciable.
The PDP crisis has since deepened, with rival factions laying claim to the party’s leadership. While the Turaki-led group continues its legal challenge, a separate faction aligned with Wike has reportedly conducted its own convention in Abuja and secured access to the party’s national secretariat.
The Supreme Court’s decision to fast-track the case is expected to play a critical role in determining the legitimacy of the party’s leadership structure ahead of key electoral timelines.
