By Nchetachi Chukwuajah
The Court of Appeal in Abuja has fixed Thursday, February 12, for the hearing of a set of suits challenging the legality of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) national convention held on November 15 and 16, 2025, in Ibadan, Oyo State.
The hearing was scheduled by a three-member panel led by Mohammed Danjuma to consider eight separate appeals questioning the validity of the convention that produced the Tanimu Turaki-led National Working Committee (NWC).
The appeals are from the judgments delivered by three judges of the Federal High Court and a judge of a state high court.
During the PDP’s national convention in Ibadan, convened by a faction of the PDP, 20 members of the NWC were elected, including Tanimu Turaki as National Chairman; Hamza Akuyan Koshe as Deputy National Chairman (North); Daniel Ambrose Woye as Deputy National Chairman (South); Arapaja Taofeek as National Secretary; and Ini Ememobong as National Publicity Secretary.
In the days leading up to the convention, there were conflicting court orders on whether the event should proceed.
The Federal High Court in Abuja, on October 31, 2025, restrained the PDP from conducting the convention.
Justice James Omotosho held that evidence before the court indicated that the party failed to conduct valid state congresses ahead of the planned convention, contrary to provisions of the 1999 Constitution, INEC guidelines, and the party’s constitution.
However, on November 4, 2025, Justice A.L. Akintola of the High Court in Ibadan, Oyo State, ruled that the PDP and its former National Chairman, Umar Damagum, should proceed with the November 15 convention.
In another ruling, Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja, on November 11, 2025, also restrained the PDP from holding the convention.
