The Supreme Court has fixed April 22, 2026, to hear appeals arising from the leadership dispute within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The appeals were filed by a faction of the party led by Kabiru Turaki, challenging the Court of Appeal’s decision that nullified the PDP’s national convention held in Ibadan, Oyo State, in November 2025.
A five-member panel of the apex court, led by Justice Lawal Garba, granted an application for accelerated hearing and approved a shortened timeline for the filing of legal briefs.
During proceedings, counsel to the Turaki faction, Chris Uche (SAN), urged the court to fast-track the matter, citing the need to align with the timetable of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In response, counsel representing some of the respondents, Emmanuel Ukala (SAN), requested additional time to file replies, noting the need to obtain relevant court records.
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However, the court directed all nine respondents to submit their responses within five days.
One of the appeals pits the Turaki-led faction against a rival group aligned with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
The court also ordered that hearing notices be served on a respondent who was absent during proceedings.
In a separate but related appeal, the faction is also challenging a suit involving former Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido, who had contested his exclusion from the party’s national chairmanship race.
Earlier rulings by lower courts, including the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal, had largely gone against the Turaki faction nullifying the Ibadan convention, restricting access to the party’s national secretariat, and preventing INEC from recognising outcomes of the gathering.
The Turaki group, however, argues that the dispute is an internal party matter and should not be subject to judicial interference.
The Supreme Court is expected to hear both appeals on April 22 as part of efforts to resolve the lingering leadership crisis within the PDP.
