By Nchetachi Chukwuajah
Reactions have followed the judgment of the Court of Appeal in Abuja, which upheld the judgment delivered by Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, restraining the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising the outcome of the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) national convention held in Ibadan, Oyo State.
The reactions from Nigerians across social media platforms and members of the party bordered on applause of the appellate court’s ruling, disagreement with the ruling, those suing for unity and reconciliation, and those urging the party to take the matter to the Supreme Court.
The Appeal Court’s judgement was a unanimous decision delivered on Monday, March 9, by a three-member panel led by Justice Uchechukwu Onyemenam.
In its ruling, the Appeal Court dismissed an appeal filed by a faction of the PDP led by Kabiru Turaki (SAN) challenging the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court to entertain the suit.
The appeal was part of nine harmonised appeals brought by the Turaki-led PDP faction against the judgement of the Federal High Court in Abuja delivered on October 31, 2025, barring INEC from recognising the outcome of the party’s Ibadan convention.
In his reaction to the ruling, a PDP chieftain, Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, called for unity and reconciliation among the party’s factions.
In a statement on Monday, Olawepo-Hasim noted that the crisis within the party is a “family quarrel,” and urged party stakeholders to embrace unity and reconciliation in the interest of the party and the nation.
He said, “This is a family quarrel that must now end at the Appeal Court. Leaders on both sides have agreed in principle to unite and harmonise positions in all talks and negotiations we had.”
Reacting to the judgment, Sa’adu Halidu wrote on Facebook, “The court favours both sides in my view for affirming the suspension of the members of the faction and upholding the ban on Ibadan convention, so every side now has to go to the Supreme Court and challenge the judgement of the Appeal Court.”
Aliu Olalekan Abayomi added: “Congrats to those governors who left the PDP. If you don’t have a life jacket, you cannot remain in a sinking ship.”
Also, Olorundajo Segun wrote, “Even I, who is not a legal expert, know that such a kangaroo convention cannot stand. Many thanks to our judiciary.
Others also shared their opinion on the appellate court’s ruling on X (formerly Twitter). @aproko_units tweeted, “This ruling could deepen the internal crisis within the party. PDP leadership will need to find a political and legal solution quickly.”
@nwachukwusoo added, “Wike has finally gotten a national party of his own. The rest should just allow him to do the proper burial of the party.”
@tobilobaayo12 wrote, “Seyi Makinde and his cohorts just wasted money and time to do a convention they knew was illegal. Why will they go ahead with the convention when there was a court judgement stopping them from holding the convention? They are jokers.”
Recall that Justice Omotosho had, in a judgement delivered on October 31, 2025, restrained INEC from receiving, publishing, or recognising the outcome of the convention until the party complied with the relevant provisions of the law.
The ruling, filed by the Imo State PDP Chairman, Austin Nwachukwu; the Abia State PDP Chairman, Amah Abraham Nnanna; and the PDP Secretary for the South-South, Turnah Alabh George.
