•As Turaki-led group challenges trial court jurisdiction
Chidinma Iroegbu
The long-running leadership tussle within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has entered a decisive new phase, with the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal now set to weigh in on the dispute following an appeal by a faction led by former Attorney-General of the Federation, Kabiru Turaki (SAN).
The development emerged on Wednesday at the Federal High Court in Abuja, where the Turaki-led group informed the court that it had formally approached the appellate court to challenge the trial court’s jurisdiction to continue hearing the matter. The faction urged the court to halt further proceedings, arguing that the appeal had been duly entered and that a motion for stay of proceedings was already before the Court of Appeal.
Leading counsel to the group, Chief Chris Uche (SAN), told the court that once an appeal is properly entered, the appellate court becomes seized of the matter, making it prudent for the trial court to suspend action pending the outcome.
However, the request was strongly opposed by counsel to the plaintiffs, Dr. Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN), who maintained that the filing of an appeal particularly against an interlocutory ruling does not automatically stop proceedings at the lower court. He urged the court to continue with the substantive hearing, stressing that the law requires a specific order of stay before proceedings can be halted.
Ikpeazu disclosed that he was served with the appeal processes late on Tuesday night but assured the court of his readiness to respond appropriately. After listening to arguments from both sides, the presiding judge, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, directed Ikpeazu to file a formal response and adjourned hearing of the motion to January 23.
The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2501/2025, challenges the outcome of the PDP National Convention held in Ibadan, Oyo State, on November 15 and 16, during which members of the party’s National Working Committee were elected.
The action was instituted by Mohammed Abdulrahman and Senator Samuel Anyanwu, who claim to be the Acting National Chairman and National Secretary, respectively, of a PDP faction loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike. They are asking the court to nullify the convention and restrain those elected from parading themselves as national officers of the party.
Among other reliefs, the plaintiffs are seeking an order barring the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising or dealing with the convention-backed officials. INEC, the Inspector General of Police, the Commissioner of Police (FCT Command), the Department of State Services (DSS), and the officials elected at the convention are all listed as defendants.
The plaintiffs are also asking the court to affirm Wadata Plaza, Wuse Zone 5, Abuja, as the PDP’s recognised national secretariat and to restrain the defendants from taking over the party’s headquarters. They further requested that security agencies provide protection for their faction to operate from PDP offices in Wuse and Maitama.
Earlier in the proceedings, the defendants had applied for Justice Abdulmalik to recuse herself from the case, alleging bias and a likelihood of unfair hearing. They also disclosed that they had written to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, requesting that PDP-related matters not be assigned to Justice Abdulmalik and two other judges, citing perceived partisanship.
Despite these objections, the case was assigned to Justice Abdulmalik, a move the defendants said deepened their concerns. The court has yet to rule on the recusal application, as the PDP leadership crisis continues to generate high-stakes legal battles across multiple levels of the judiciary.