The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja on Wednesday reserved judgment in the nine appeals filed by the two rival factions of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), arising from a series of conflicting decisions delivered by the Federal High Court in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
A three-member panel of the appellate court took arguments from all parties after counsel adopted their respective briefs of argument and made final submissions on the contentious issues bordering on the leadership crisis rocking the opposition party. At the conclusion of proceedings, the panel announced that judgment had been reserved and that parties would be duly notified when the decisions are ready.
The appeals are primarily challenging judgments delivered by three judges of the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court—Justices James Omotosho, Joyce Abdulmalik, and Peter Lifu. The decisions, delivered at different times, had issued orders that appeared to recognise or affect the standing of rival leadership structures within the party, thereby deepening internal divisions.
At the heart of the legal battle are two factions laying claim to the PDP’s national leadership. One faction is led by the disputed National Chairman, Saminu Turaki (SAN), while the other is headed by the National Caretaker Committee Chairman, Abdulrahman Mohammed. Both camps have accused each other of acting contrary to the party’s constitution and guidelines, prompting a flurry of lawsuits and counter-suits.
During the hearing, senior lawyers representing both factions urged the Court of Appeal to set aside the decisions of the Federal High Court, arguing that the lower court erred in law and lacked jurisdiction in some of the matters.
They maintained that the conflicting rulings had created uncertainty within the party and undermined its internal democratic processes.
The prolonged litigation has continued to cast a shadow over the PDP’s affairs, with party stakeholders and supporters closely watching the appellate court for a decisive pronouncement that could bring clarity to the leadership dispute.
Until the Court of Appeal delivers its verdicts, the leadership tussle is expected to persist, with the outcome likely to have far-reaching implications for the party’s unity and political direction ahead of future electoral contests.
