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The ongoing struggle for control of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) escalated on Tuesday as factional leaders and governors gathered at the Court of Appeal in Abuja for a high-stakes hearing.
Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, the factional PDP National Chairman, appeared in person alongside Governors Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State and Seyi Makinde of Oyo State.
Members of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) also attended, signaling the gravity of the legal showdown that seeks to determine the party’s legitimate leadership.
Newsmen noted the courtroom atmosphere was tense, reflecting the protracted dispute that has fragmented the PDP.
The appeal follows a controversial ruling by a Federal High Court in Ibadan, which invalidated the PDP’s national convention held on November 15, 2025.
Justice Uche Agomoh had prohibited the Turaki-led NWC from identifying themselves as national officers, while recognising the faction aligned with FCT Minister Nyesom Wike.
According to Turaki’s camp, the ruling was “deeply flawed” and politically motivated.
A spokesperson said, “We remain committed to ensuring that the democratic process within the PDP is upheld, and the appeal will correct the injustices of the lower court.”
The Federal High Court had previously affirmed that the Caretaker Committee, led by Mohammed Abdulrahman and Senator Samuel Anyanwu, remains the only recognised national leadership of the PDP until a valid convention is conducted.
However, factional infighting has continued unabated, with each side insisting on its authority.
Political analysts argue that the leadership crisis reflects deeper structural challenges within the party following its poor performance in the 2023 general elections.
“This is not just a legal battle; it’s a fight for the soul of the PDP,” said a senior political commentator in Abuja.
The appeal court’s ruling is now being closely monitored, as it could reshape Nigeria’s opposition landscape and determine who truly controls one of the country’s major political parties.